Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Protein Gold Standard
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard protein powder is in my opinion, one of if not the best protein powder on the market. I'm not going to bore you with every little detail of what is in the stuff, percentages of this and that, I'm just going to tell you why I like it so much and why it's the one that frequents my blender the most.
What Is In Optimum Protein Whey Protein Gold?
It's all Whey Protein all the time. One thing I LOVE about this powder is that their is no extra "stuff" in it which usually is either filler or some made up "formula" that the supplement companies use to sell you on their product. It has more glutamine (4grams) than any other powder (per serving) that I know of and it's loaded with BCAA's. This is great for protein synthesis and repair.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Taste
It is definitely one of the best tasting protein powders on the market. I actually think it is THE best if you take out all the versions with a ton of fat and sugar added. If you said best "low carb and extra crap powder" then I would definitely say this tastes the best. Muscle Milk for example tastes really good and a little better than gold standard but it also has a ton of carbs and fat which isn't what I want in my every day powder.
My favorite flavor: Chocolate Mint
Why: It reminds me of eating "thin mint" girl scout cookies which I can eat by the box so my protein shake almost becomes a "treat" instead of part of my daily regimen.
Other Flavors: Rocky Road (good), Cookies N Cream (pretty good), Chocolate (best besides chocolate mint in my opinion).
Blendability Of Whey Protein Gold
It rivals Designer Protein as the easiest protein powder to blend without a problem and without funky chunks or a thickness that you can't choke down (can anyone say Myoplex).
Price Of Whey Protein Gold
To top off all my comments above, it's darn near the least expensive powder you can get. With 20+ grams of protein per scoop (compared to less than 20g for other brands) and for about $30 for a 5lb tub... it's darn near impossible to beat.
My Favorite Shake Recipe With Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein Gold
This is basically my favorite shake. I throw down one of these after every workout and most of my other recipe's are just variations of this one with other flavors and brands of powders (I'm always trying new ones).
2 Scoops Whey Protein Gold (Mint Chocolate)
1 Heaping Teaspoon Of Hersheys Cocoa (if you have not done this... you gotta try it)
1 Cup or so of "Enhance" soy milk (I just like the stuff). I ususally fill liquid about 3/4ths the level of the ice.
1 Teaspoon of honey (or a quick squirt or so of Mr. Bear)
2 Packs of Stevia powder (I like to stay low carb and I hate artificial sweetener. Try stevia powser instead)
Blend until think and smooth. You may have to shake the blender or use a spoon to keep it mixing after the big chunks of ice are broken up but after a minute or two it will blend smooth.
This is the "base" shake which is very low carb. Take out the honey and you are less than 15 grams for a 48G protein shake that is sweet, super chocolaty, really darn good for you.
If you want to spice it up, try adding any of these:
Handful of chopped nuts (I love almonds and walnuts in any shake)
Peanut Butter: A heaping teaspoon helps smooth out a shake and helps it "stick"
Flax Seed: Good for you, fiber, and plenty Omega 3's
Bananna: Great for smoothing out shake too.
Berries: A chocolate shake with fresh raspberries is AWESOME.
Summary
If you have never tried it, go pickup a 2lb tub (about $15) at the local supplement shop or online and try the Chocolate Mint. My bet is that you will never go back.
