Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder, French Vanilla Crème, 5 Pound (Packaging May Vary)

First off, I've purchased a bunch of different flavors of ON Gold Standard Whey. All of them have close to the same nutritional value, but they vary greatly in taste. Both my wife and I drink these protein shakes as part of our daily diet, and as a product, Optimum Nutrition is great. I've mixed with both milk and water, and all of the shakes mix well and don't seem to clump. I've tried other manufactures whey, and I keep finding myself going back to ON for the price, nutritional value, and above all the taste.So the flavor question. As I mentioned, each flavor has a different characteristic from the others. Some are bland, some taste sweet, some taste overly fake. We loved some, and we hated some. Below is a list based on what we like so far and why. Bear in mind that I hate diet drinks for their bad aftertaste. The drinks don't have to be sweet for me to like them, but I can't stand the garbage aftertaste of fake sweeteners.The best flavors:Rocky Road - By far the single best tasting flavor. The downside is that it does taste a little sweet. The nutritional value is right on with the other flavors, but it is a bit sweet. I could drink this all day. If you only buy one flavor, this is it. There is no real aftertaste, and the flavor is great.Extreme Milk Chocolate - Another good flavor with almost no aftertaste. This one tastes like chocolate, and doesn't have a fake taste to it. If you are looking at the chocolate flavors, this one is perfect.Natural Vanilla - This is a slightly different product, and it comes in a tub with yellow labeling instead of the red. It's on Amazon for the same price, and it has the same nutritional values. They claim it has less artificial sweeteners in it, hence the natural label. In any case, this is the best vanilla out there. There is no aftertaste, and it tastes like vanilla milk. It is not as sweet as the others, but it the single best vanilla flavor I've found.The middle of the road flavors:Cookies and Cream - This one is both good and bad. If you like the creamy vanilla taste, you will like the flavor. It doesn't have a bad aftertaste, but it is sort bland. It is sweet, but bland. Also, the cookie chunks in it don't dissolve. This is the only flavor so far that has bits of stuff that you are swallowing when you drink it. It's odd. That said, I have reordered it in the past.Chocolate Malt - It's just OK. The flavor is a little odd because of the malt. Given the choice, just order the Extreme Milk Chocolate.Caramel Toffee Fudge - Again, just OK. They tried too hit to many flavors with this one, and it just turned out odd. Not a bad flavor, but don't start out here. I got bored so I tried it. I doubt I'll order it again.And the bad:Double Rich Chocolate - This flavor sucks. It tastes like fake chocolate. Not good fake chocolate, but generic fake chocolate. It has that bad aftertaste of fake sweetener, and is all around not good.Vanilla Ice Cream - Another swing and a miss. This flavor tastes like bad fake powdered milk. It has that bad aftertaste, and is probably the single worst flavor they have. If you are looking for vanilla, avoid this at all costs and get the Natural Vanilla.Tropical Punch - Another fake tasting flavor. When I got this, I could barely get through the first few shakes. Eventually it grew on me a little bit, and I was able to drink it without hating it. It tastes like strawberry milk with a bunch of fake sweetener. It's just wrong, and is not something you want to drink after a workout.I know that taste varies from person to person, so take this with a grain of salt. I hate the taste of fake sweetener, so this list draws from that. I've taken to buying the 2lb tubs to try out a flavor, and then going with the 5lb tubs if I like it. It costs a bit more that way, but it means there is only 2lbs to choke down if you get a flavor that you hate.Enjoy!

This whey protein powder has been a great addition to my workout routine, both before and after. If you understand your body's needs and workout goals, this, or likely any whey, can be beneficial. For me, the function and price of this particular powder were the deciding factors, especially since it's affordable with EBT SNAP benefits. I appreciate that the ingredients are verifiably good and standardized. It mixes easily with water – I find this yields the best results as protein powder doesn't seem to dissolve well or healthily in milk. The smell and taste are both pleasant, and it's acceptably filling. It is effective as a meal replacement.

I just recieved my order less than 24 hours ago and I couldn't wait to give this product a try. I was doing soo much research on which Whey protein to use in order for me to gain muscle and help with muscle recovery after my long workouts at the gym. I came across this and a few others but I wanted to give this a chance. I bought the flavor Strawberry banana and let me say it did not disappoint AT ALL. It was delicious very smooth and blended really well with my Oat Milk. I also added some banana and frozen strawberries to enhance the flavor some more and it was creamy and smooth.

Gold Standard Whey Isolate has become a staple in my daily routine. The quality is top-notch—you can really tell you're getting a clean, fast-digesting protein without the bloating or chalky texture that other brands sometimes have.I’ve tried a few flavors, and they all mix easily with water or milk, no clumps. The taste is surprisingly smooth and not overly sweet—perfect for post-workout recovery or a quick protein boost during the day.What really sets it apart is how light it feels. It gives me everything I need without the heaviness, and I’ve definitely noticed better muscle recovery since switching. Highly recommend it for anyone serious about fitness or just looking for a reliable protein supplement.

I am only giving it 4 stars, because I wish it had a more predominate chocolate flavor. Need to see if they have another flavor that has a richer chocolate taste. I blend it w/ice and some water for a protein shake in the morning. Since the scoop that comes w/it is too big for the container that I use w/my ice and water, I measured how many 1/2 TBSP was equivalent. So I use my 1/2 TBSP measuring spoon to put it in my mini Dash mixer.

I’ve been using Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey for several months now, and it has consistently lived up to its reputation. The mixability is excellent—no clumps when shaken with water or milk—and the taste is among the best I’ve tried. (Double Rich Chocolate is my go-to flavor.)It’s a great post-workout option, easy on the stomach, and I’ve noticed quicker recovery times and better muscle maintenance since incorporating it into my routine. I also appreciate that it contains minimal sugar and a solid dose of protein per serving.Whether you’re new to supplements or a regular gym-goer, this is a reliable and effective protein powder. Highly recommend!

Dymatize Vanilla Ice Cream Whey Protein is delicious and effective! The vanilla flavor is smooth and creamy, just like a real ice cream treat, making it easy to enjoy every day. It mixes well with water or milk without clumping, and I’ve noticed great results in my muscle recovery and energy. It’s a high-quality protein that supports my fitness goals perfectly. Definitely a five-star product for anyone looking for a tasty and reliable protein powder!