Nutricost Vs. Optimum Nutrition 🆚

Let’s delve into a Nutricost vs. Optimum Nutrition protein showdown. These two brands, Nutricost and Optimum Nutrition, are often the go-to choices for those seeking budget-friendly protein powders. Each brand has its unique selling points that we’ll explore in this comparison.

Optimum Nutrition’s 100% Gold Standard Whey is a fantastic budget option. It offers different sizing options, various flavors, and finally, a transparent label—but that transparency is only available for Gold Standard Whey. 

Let’s compare Nutricost protein powders with Optimum Nutrition’s 100% Gold Standard Whey. To make things more enjoyable, we’ll pit Nutricost Isolate against ON Gold Standard Whey. 

Research analysis, conducted with utmost care and precision, reveals that Nutricost isolate (and grass-fed whey isolate) utilizes a protein supplier that artificially inflates the number of BCAAs at raw whey testing. Optimum Nutrition’s 24 grams of protein (5.5 grams of BCAAs per serving), along with its superior protein and ingredient offering, is the clear winner in protein quality.

Read the complete Nutricost vs Optimum Nutrition article to gain a comprehensive understanding of why both proteins are competitively priced. Rest assured, this review is conducted with utmost transparency and thorough research. 

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Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey 🥇

If you ask any fitness buff, Optimum Nutrition is the gold standard for whey protein. I also want to share that Optimum Nutrition’s 100% Whey is their flagship protein. So what makes Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Standard Whey worthy of a gold medal?

• Third-party tested
• Banned of any performance-enhancing substances
• Clear label transparency
• Reputable & nationally recognized brand
• Variety of flavors and sizes

ON 100% Gold Standard Whey can be purchased locally, at any national retailer, supplement store, or online. Let’s look at pricing directly from Optimum Nutrition and Amazon.

Protip. Pricing will be cheaper at a retailer than online. I purchased my 1.5lb container for $28.

Optimum Nutrition Pricing

There are at least 18 different flavors. Your price will depend on the flavor and size you select. Prices range from as low as $33 for 1.5 lbs to as high as $85.99 for a 5-pound container. 

Amazon Pricing (The link is my affiliate link to Amazon. I may receive a small commission without incurring cost to you.)

Amazon offers 90% of the flavors. However, flavor availability is based on the container size you select. Prices range from $41.94 for two pounds to $137.08 for a 10-pound container. If you want a deal, subscribe and save is an option.

Let’s examine the nutrition facts for Gold Standard 100% Whey. 

Optimum Nutrition Protein Nutrition Facts 📊

Here are Optimum Nutrition Protein nutrition facts for strawberries & cream.

Serving size 31g

Calories 120

• Total Fat 2g
• Sodium 130mg
• Total Carbohydrate 3g
  • Total Fiber 0g
  • Total Sugars 2g
• Protein 24g

When examining other protein powders, the average amount per serving is around 25 grams. ON 100% Gold Standard is just a gram off.

Optimum Nutrition does not have an amino acid profile printed on it. If you’re wondering, here is Optimum Nutrition’s 100% Gold Standard Whey amino acid profile. I’ll post it below if you don’t want to go to the link. 

Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Standard Amino Acid Profile 🔬

What’s nice about Optimum Nutrition’s whey protein is that the company is excellent enough to share the 100g and per serving profiles. 

At the beginning of this section, I shared that Optimum Nutrition provides complete transparency for 100% Gold Standard Whey. There are two cues to identify a high-quality protein source. Both of these statements are on the label.

• Statements of how many BCAAs per serving
• The label shows “Naturally occurring amino acids.”

The label states 5.5 grams of naturally occurring BCAAs per serving. However, when we calculate the total amount for leucine, isoleucine, and valine, we find 5.71 grams per serving. What does that mean?

5.5 grams is naturally occurring. The math indicates that .2 grams of protein peptides are added. Is that bad? Not necessarily. Plus, the amount is so minimal that it’s not worth listing in the ingredients. Let’s examine the ingredient profile for Optimum Nutrition’s flagship protein.

Optimum Nutrition Protein Ingredients 📝

The ingredient list will always vary depending on the flavor you select. I do not like Optimum Nutrition’s 100% Gold Standard Whey ingredient profile. Here’s why.

Research indicates that Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Whey is predominately an isolated protein mixed with whey protein concentrate and inferior hydrolyzed whey protein. Furthermore, Optimum Nutrition uses artificial sweeteners and soy. 

If you’re an anti-artificial sweetener gym-goer, you’ll look for a protein that is naturally sweetened and flavored. If you’re someone who doesn’t care about artificial sweeteners, keep reading.

Soy lecithin is used as a cheap emulsifier. I discussed the potential health risks of soy lecithin in protein powders. Even though the amount used in ON 100% Gold Standard Whey, it’s worth mentioning. 

If you want more details about soy lecithin, I compared ON 100% Gold Standard Whey to Pure Choice Farms. I shared that soy lecithin is “Handy for mixability, sure, but not so great if your tummy throws a tantrum with soy around. Nausea, rashes, the works.”

I’ve used ON 100% Gold Standard Whey and have not experienced GI issues. However, other users have shared digestive issues, which may stem from lacrosse intolerance or the use of soy lecithin.

ON Gold Standard Whey, Proudly Sold with International Ingredients in America 🌐

There is no denying that ON Gold Standard Whey is a very budget-priced protein. How is Optimum Nutrition able to get away with such low prices? 

Overall, ON Gold Standard Whey is so cheap because it’s a three-protein blend of whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, and inferior hydrolyzed whey protein. Furthermore, Optimum Nutrition’s protein sources are from India. 

How do I know that Optimum Nutrition sources its protein from India?

I contacted Optimum Nutrition via WhatsApp and sent them messages with these two main questions.

1. What’s the amino acid profile for ON Gold Standard Isolate?
2. Can you obtain the origin of the ingredients list for Gold Standard Whey?

The representative offered excellent service. They also answered my questions to the best of their ability. 

Point blank, “We source our protein from India.” Here’s the conversation.

You’re also wondering what makes hydrolyzed whey protein inferior.

I wrote an article examining lactose in whey protein isolate. In that article, I examined the hydrolyzed protein process. The process further filters carbohydrates (lactose) and fat, making hydrolyzed protein the most expensive and at the same time almost lactose-free. 

In my article “Understanding the Best Whey Protein for Lactose Intolerance,” I provide a table examining the quality of protein and the amount of lactose per protein source. 

Whey powder is at the very bottom for protein quality and has the highest amount of lactose. It is mostly utilized in food production and as a preservative. Regarding muscle building, hydrolyzed whey protein is near the bottom. 

Let’s examine my review of Optimum Nutritions Gold Standard Whey.

Optimum Nutrition Protein Review ✍️

I’ve long used Optimum Nutrition’s 100% Gold Standard Whey. Here’s why I love ON Gold Standard Whey: clear transparency. 

Based on my review, Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Whey is the best multi-source protein powder you can buy. However, ON 100% Gold Standard Whey has shortcomings, such as using artificial, inferior, and internationally sourced ingredients. Having a supplement company provide full transparency is the reason for purchasing 100% Gold Standard Whey. 

The use of hydrolyzed whey protein is questionable. Raw hydrolyzed whey is used to bloat the amount of protein to 24 grams per serving. We also found out that ON 100% Gold Standard is cheap because it uses protein powder sourced from India. 

If you’re interested in a deep dive, I have a complete protein review of Optimum Nutrition 100 Gold Standard Whey. I share why it’s the best budget protein powder you should purchase. 

If you’ve tried ON 100% Gold Standard and have digestive issues (like me), I have an unbiased Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100 Isolate review. Unfortunately, Optimum Nutrition doesn’t want to share the amino acid profile for their 100% isolate, raising questions about the quality of their isolate powder. 

Let’s examine Nutricosts’ isolate. 

Nutricost Isolate 🥛

You purchase Nutricost protein because of its affordable price. In my experience, purchasing Nutricost Isolate directly from Amazon is always best. Purchasing directly from Amazon, especially with the 5-pound container, may save you almost 40 dollars. 

Nutricost Pricing

• 2-pound container, $57.95; Subscribe & Save $46.36
• 5-pound container, $117.95, Subscribe & Save $94.36

Amazon Pricing (The link is my affiliate link to Amazon. I may receive a small commission without incurring cost to you.)

• 2-pound container, $41.95, Subscribe & Save is not offered
• 5-pound container, $69.95, Subscribe & Save $62.96

Why would you want to buy whey protein isolate? 

Whey protein isolates have fewer calories, carbs, and fats. They also undergo an increased filtration process, which results in a higher amount of protein per serving. Finally, whey protein isolate has less lactose than whey protein concentrate if you’re lactose intolerant.

Let’s examine the nutrition facts for Nutricost isolate.

Nutricost Whey Protein Isolate Nutrition Facts 📊

Here are the nutrition facts for Nutricost’s Whey Protein Isolate, strawberry protein. 

Serving size 37 grams

Calories 130

• Total Fat .5g
• Sodium 310mg
• Total Carbohydrate 2g
  • Dietary Fiber 0g
  • Total Sugars 1g
• Protein 30g

Thirty grams of protein for an isolate is robust and very impressive. The average amount of protein per serving ranges from as low as 20 grams to as high as 28 grams. 

Nutricost is nice enough to provide the amino acid profile. The profile helps the user gauge the quality of the protein being used in the protein powder. The only problem with the amino acid profile shared by Nutricost is that it’s based on 100g.

Nutricost Amino Acid Profile Coversion per Serving 🔢

The amount of BCAAs per serving is 6.6 grams. This amount of BCAAs may be larger than the normal amount, but if you make an apple-to-apple comparison based on the same amount of protein per serving, it’s not.

If you are considering buying Nutricost Grass-fed Isolate, do not purchase it. I went in-depth and answered whether Nutricost whey protein is good.

I discovered that Nutricost could purchase its whey protein from a turnkey supplier. The supplier is most likely artificially inflating the naturally occurring BCAAs in Nutricost protein powders, so you need to examine the amino acid profile. 

Nutricost Whey Protein Isolate Ingredients 📝

The ingredients found in Nutricost Whey Protein Isolate match their protein powder labels: clean and straightforward. 

Nutricosts’ ingredient list is minimal overall. Some flavors offer artificial sweeteners, and some have natural sweeteners (Most protein powders have the basics: protein, flavoring, sodium, preservatives, and a sweetener. 

I’ve gone through three different containers of Nutricost protein powders. I’ve never had an issue with their ingredient profile. Based strictly on the ingredient list, Nutricost is a fantastic choice. However, if you’re an anti-artificial sweetener person, read the label. 

Why have I gone through three containers of Nutricost protein powders if I’m lukewarm on their protein? I’ve done three different reviews on Nutricost protein powders.

Nutricost Isolate, Made in America, Sold with International Sourced Protein 🌍

Naughty, naughty, naughty Nutricost. When I see the statement “globally sourced ingredients.” I purposely contacted the company to see if they would provide transparency. 

Research indicates that Nutricost protein is so cheap because it is sourced internationally. When contacted for further explanation, Nutricost did not want to disclose more information.

How do I know Nutricost protein is sourced internationally?

• Globally or internationally sourced ingredients
• 3rd party tested
• Statements using hormone-free dairy
• Made in a GMP Compliant, FDA Registered Facility

Nutricost shares have 3 of the four statements on the label or the product description page.

Nutricost Protein Review ✍️

I’ve written three different protein reviews on Nutricost protein powders. In my Nutricost Whey Isolate review,  I said, “It was a cheaper version of Optimum Nutrition.” I gave it a final grade of 90%.

As I gained experience and refined my review criteria, that 90% initial score didn’t sit well with me. Here’s why: imported protein powder is of poor quality. I had to re-review the Nutricost isolate. I figured that would be to re-review the isolate, so why not examine their grass-fed isolate?

As a whole, I would not recommend Nutricost Grass-fed isolate. The amino acid profile is similar to that of their counterpart, standard grass-fed isolate. My in-depth review suggests that Nutricost isolate is the better product, but it is purchased at a steep discount. 

Regarding the Nutricost Grass-fed isolate, I found out their whey is imported from Europe, India, or China. In an email from Nutricost, they said the amino acid profile is the same in their standard isolate. 

Using information from the AGN Roots article “Grass-fed Whey Contains More BCAAs,” the amino acid profile may represent a grass-fed protein; however, the product found in Nutricost’s Grass-fed protein is the same as that found in their standard isolate. 

I have a full written review about Nutricost Grass-fed isolate. In that article I provide tips on how to be an informed buyer of grass-fed protein and how to identify label claims. I will also provide a final recommendation. Check out my Nutricost grass-fed protein review.

If you’re interested in purchasing Nutricost isolate, I share that it’s worth a steep discount. In that article, I share that Nutricost’s supplier may be a turnkey distributor artificially inflating the number of BCAAs in their protein.  

If you want more, here is the full written review for Nutricost Whey Protein Isolate review.

Is Nutricost Protein Good? 👍

Are Nutricost protein products any good? That question depends totally on your health and fitness goals.

As a general rule, Nutricost may be a solid value just for reaching your daily protein intake goals. However, if you’re using Nutricost protein for post-workout recovery, I recommend looking elsewhere. Nutricost is so cheap because its supplier offers an inferior protein source artificially inflated with BCAAs. 

I’ve only reviewed Nutricosts’ standard and grass-fed isolates. Both received less-than-favorable scores. I would not recommend buying Nutricost protein isolate if you’re truly interested.

Based on what we know, this is a questionable purchase from an inferior turnkey supplier. Purchasing Nutricost whey protein concentrate will not be a great purchase for post-workout nutrition.

Who Has Better Protein Optimum Nutrition or Nutricost 🤔

This has been an extensive comparison between two budget-priced proteins. However, we need to level the playing field by examining the amino acid profile. We need to convert Nutricosts’ 30 grams of protein to 25 grams of protein.

Fortunately, I’ve already done that from my unbiased Nutricost Grass-fed whey protein isolate review.

Nutricost vs. Optimum Nutrition Amino Acid Comparison 🥊

It is no comparison that Optimum Nutrition uses higher quality internationally sourced protein. You can see the comparison between both brands

Nutricost may offer a 100% isolate product, but the amount of BCAAs offered per 25g of protein is only 4.74 grams. Compared to ON 100% Gold Standard Whey, naturally occurring BCAAs are 5.5 grams.

Research analysis, conducted with utmost care and precision, reveals that Nutricost isolate (and grass-fed whey isolate) utilizes a protein supplier that artificially inflates the number of BCAAs at raw whey testing. Optimum Nutrition’s 24 grams of protein (5.5 grams of BCAAs per serving), along with its superior protein and ingredient offering, is the clear winner in protein quality.

Nutricost Vs. Optimum Nutrition Conclusion 🤔

A container of Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Standard Whey may contain fewer servings. However, if you’re using protein powders for post-workout nutrition, you want to stimulate muscle protein synthesis. 

Research indicates you want a minimum of 25 grams of protein and 3 grams of leucine per serving to stimulate muscle growth. Neither protein powder will get you to that threshold. 

However, to reach those numbers, you will use more protein with Nutricost powders than Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey. If your fitness goal is to pack on muscle, any Nutricost protein powders should be left off your list.

Remember, being consistent is taking one step forward.

Sources 🔗

Kremmer, J. 2023, (December 29). Maximize Your Fitness Goals with Nutricost Whey Protein Isolate Powder: What You Need to Know. JKremmer Fitness. https://jkremmerfitness.com/post/nutricost-whey-isolate-review/

Kremmer, J. (2024a, February 7). Ever Wondered the Real Difference? Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard vs Pure Choice Farms Showdown! JKremmer Fitness. https://jkremmerfitness.com/post/isolate-vs-concentrate-whey-protein-comparison/

Kremmer, J. (2024b, April 21). Unbiased Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate Review: Exposing a cash grab disguised as value. JKremmer Fitness. https://jkremmerfitness.com/post/unbiased-nutricost-grass-fed-whey-protein-isolate-review/#Whey_Protein_Isolate_Per_25g_of_Protein

Kremmer, J. (2024c, April 21). 🚫 Understanding the best whey protein for lactose intolerance. JKremmer Fitness. https://jkremmerfitness.com/post/is-whey-isolate-low-lactose/

Kremmer, J. (2024d, April 22). Is Nutricost whey protein good? An In-Depth Analysis for Budget Seekers. JKremmer Fitness. https://jkremmerfitness.com/post/is-nutricost-whey-protein-good/

Stark, M., Lukaszuk, J. M., Prawitz, A. D., & Salacinski, A. J. (2012). Protein timing and its effects on muscular hypertrophy and strength in individuals engaged in weight-training. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-9-54

What is the amino acids profile in Gold Standard 100% Whey? (n.d.). Optimum Nutrition. https://service.optimumnutrition.com/en/support/solutions/articles/80000543110-what-is-the-amino-acids-profile-in-gold-standard-100-whey-

Roots, A. (2019, October 26). Grass-Fed whey contains more BCAAs. Sourced the Right Whey^TM. https://agnroots.com/blogs/articles-info/highest-bcaa-concentrations