Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein Powder, Cookies and Cream, 71 Servings, 2.27kg

The taste, ease of use and ingredient quality is unbeatable. Mixes well , a trusted premium product

This is my 3rd 2kg tub of Double Rich Chocolate (used it while doing The Insanity workout and still am with my new routine) and have learnt a few things over the past year: 1) It tastes awesome with milk and for me better than restaurant milkshakes (with water it's not that bad) - personally I use 150ml of semi-skimmed milk for during the day and mix with water post workout. 2) A shaker is a must!!! - I've left mine at work on multiple occasions and even though it says on the tub it's "instantized" and can be spoon stirred it doesn't taste the same without one when mixing it with milk, it won't be that lumpy but it definitely won't be as smooth. I ended up using a whisk because I was desperate! 3) If you've tried this flavor before and found it wasn't sweet enough for your taste try the "Milk Chocolate" / "Extreme Milk Chocolate" (same thing on Amazon) which is a bit sweeter, these are the only two flavors that I've tried and found the Extreme Milk Chocolate a bit too sweet for my liking and also had black/dark bits at the bottom of my shake that don't taste nice (not sure if it's meant to be like that or if I got a dodgy tub) 4) If you don't care about taste know that this product offers a great quality protein (Whey Isolates - one of the quickest absorbing proteins) for post-workouts for the price you pay, the only thing better is Hydrolysate/hydrolyzed protein shakes but these are more expensive. 5) This is NOT a meal replacement shake (only 113 calories per serving, low fat and low carbs/sugars - if you only lived on 3 of these per day you'd probably starve to death), it's ideally for post-workout or to have as a protein top up when you can't meet your daily protein goals with the normal foods that you eat and it also works as a good between meal snack that will keep your hunger at bay for a few hours/keep your metabolism up One last tip that I forgot to mention that I only found out recently to save some money, if you're buying this item and it's "Dispatched from and sold by Amazon" don't forget to buy it using "Subscribe & Save" which will knock 5% off the total price whether you want the next delivery or not. If you don't really want to subscribe because you only want it once just set it to 6 months and remember to cancel the subscription (all done online with a few clicks) before 6 months have passed as you only get charged by Amazon once the product has shipped. Also the price when I first bought this from Amazon back in September 2013 was £42.81 (maybe it was on some special promotion) but it has now jumped to £49.75 in only 6 months!!! Hopefully this price increase doesn't continue to happen since I plan on buying this for the rest of the year!

I’ve been using Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey for about two months now, and it’s genuinely one of the few supplements I can say I’m really happy with. The first thing that won me over is how effortlessly it mixes. Whether I shake it up in water, stir it into milk, or blend it into a smoothie, there are almost no clumps, no weird gritty bits, just smooth protein every time. That kind of reliability in texture is rare, and it makes taking it feel less like a chore and more like a treat. Taste-wise, the Double Rich Chocolate flavour has become my go-to. It’s rich without being sickly sweet. There’s enough chocolate flavour that I enjoy it straight after workout, but it doesn’t dominate the drink or leave that chemical aftertaste that some powders do. For those days when I want something milder, mixing it with almond milk or adding a splash of cocoa powder gives it a satisfying twist. Performance has been equally impressive. Since adding it to my post-gym routine, I’ve noticed my recovery times are better. My muscles ache less the next day, and I seem to maintain energy a bit more consistently through intense workouts. Also, the macros are solid, 24g protein per scoop, very low sugar and fat, so it helps me hit my goals without feeling like I’m sacrificing flavour or comfort. If there’s anything to critique, it’s that it does contain artificial sweeteners, which bother some people. Also, in very sensitive stomachs, the whey concentrate portion may cause minor bloating if taken on an empty stomach. But for me, those downsides are very minor compared to everything this powder tends to excel at. All in all, this has become a staple for my training days, mornings, and even baking recipes when I need a protein boost. If you want a reliable, tasty, mixable whey that actually seems to help, this is definitely one to grab.

This is a very good-quality whey protein, and I’ve found it genuinely useful as I get older and it becomes harder to build and maintain muscle. Combined with regular exercise and sensible nutrition, it has helped me support muscle growth and avoid some of the usual aches and pains that come with ageing. The texture mixes well, the Double Rich Chocolate flavour is smooth, and for an extra treat I blend it with frozen fruit, which makes a delicious ice-cold shake. It loses a star only because there are cheaper alternatives available. They’re not quite as good — mostly due to the type of protein used — but value for money is still a factor. Overall, though, this remains one of the best whey options if you want reliable results.

Very good quality and perfect scoop size, taste is very good

I recently started using the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein in Chocolate Peanut Butter, and I couldn’t be happier with my choice! This protein powder not only tastes fantastic but also mixes well with both water and milk, creating a smooth and enjoyable shake. One of the things I appreciate most is the high-quality ingredients. With naturally occurring glutamine and amino acids, I feel confident that I’m fueling my body with what it needs for muscle recovery and grow. Since I started incorporating this protein into my routine, I’ve noticed a significant boost in my energy levels and overall performance during workouts. The chocolate peanut butter flavor is indulgent without being overly sweet — it’s like a treat after a workout! Overall, I highly recommend Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein to anyone looking for a reliable, delicious protein source that delivers on its promises. It’s become a staple in my diet, and I can't imagine training without it!

Optimum Nutrition is one of my first whey proteins to try and I always go back to it. It is up there as my favourite because of it's texture, taste and impact. I would give it a solid 5/5 for all 3 of these categories. The texture is smooth, with it being able to blend and mix extremely well with your choice of liquid. I personally believe it's best with milk but over time, I have steered to taking whey with water as I want to limit my dairy intake. I noticed quickly that the quality of this product and me using it on a daily basis before/after a workout or even throughout my days, has made a massive impact in my ability to recover and grow. The high protein amount per scoop is phenomenal and so is the value for money with each one of these containers. I've used and tried a lot of flavours but you can't go wrong with anything vanilla.. it's just that delicious.

Effects on training: I ran out of whey powder before I bought this 2.2 kg tub on Amazon. I have trained several periods in the last years with and without whey protein (replaced shakes with natural protein sources). I personally like the quick absorption of Optimum Nutrition Whey, the flexibility and creativity it adds to my day-to-day activities and the quality of the product. I have barely any other option to quickly get a protein amount while I am on the run. I personally think this whey protein has good effects on my training. (I have gained about 11 lbs of muscle mass in the last 12 months of training - 4 day split, 60-80 minutes per session). TASTE: I have tried several brands before I discovered Optimum Nutrition. I prefer the DOUBLE RICH CHOCOLATE taste and it really does taste like chocolate. There are sweeteners in this whey but you can't really taste them. Mixing with WATER: Using a SMART SHAKER (tm) - mixes OK with water, there are no lumps and the process is quick. However the TASTE changes a bit if you are using the DOUBLE RICH CHOCOLATE with water only. If you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact me. Mixing with MILK (low-fat 0.3% milk): Using a SMART SHAKER (tm) - mixes really well, taste is excellent. No lumps or issues. If you shake it hard enough there will be a little bit of "foam" on top of your shake which is good. Mixing with fruit juice: I have tried MINUTE MAID Orange Juice - mixing was no problem but I personally didn't like the chocolate/orange taste (but I also don't like this combination in chocolate, others love it - just try it out!) Mixing/Combining with Quaker Oats (oatmeal/porridge): ON Double Rich Chocolate with oatmeal adds a great chocolate taste and makes the oatmeal more appealing. However, there is also a floury side taste (similar to mixing with water alone) which is the only downside. I can live with it. NEGATIVE / ADVERSE effects on body, skin or hair: None.