Optimum Nutrition is one of the most trusted brand names in the protein powder market right now. It is often referred to as ON by weightlifters, bodybuilders and others who are familiar with the protein supplement market. You will see a variety of whey protein powders on the market under this brand, but Optimum Nutrition Whey Isolate offers the purest source of whey protein.
It is more difficult to find Whey Isolate than other Optimum Nutrition protein powders. It is often sold out when you do find it online, but Amazon is great at keeping it in stock for a reasonable price. The other whey protein powders offered by ON are made with whey concentrate rather than whey isolates. Concentrates contain more glucose and may not sit well on the stomach if you are intolerant of glucose.
Concentrates are also lower in protein content than whey isolates. This is the primary reason many men choose whey isolate protein powders for after-workout recovery. The higher protein content with lower glucose content makes whey isolates superior to whey concentrates.
If you definitely want pure whey isolates rather than concentrates, read the labels carefully when shopping for ON products. This applies to many other leading brands as well, since they typically make a variety of protein powders to get into the market at different price points. 100% whey isolate powders are typically a bit more expensive than those created with blends of protein or concentrates.
Limited Flavor Options
Since it is difficult to find this protein powder at times, you will have to accept the flavor that you can find. Vanilla is the most often found flavor option, and it is possibly the only option you have right now. This is a standard flavor in the protein powder market anyway, so it only matters if you really do not like vanilla flavors.
Optimum Nutrition Whey Isolate Nutritional Profile
The nutritional profile per single-scoop serving contains the following:
- 140 calories
- 1 gram fat
- 3 grams carbohydrate
- 1 gram sugar
- 30 grams protein
What stands out with this nutritional profile is the protein and carbohydrate content. This powder does contain a bit more carbohydrates than other pure whey isolate protein powders on the market today, but it also offers a bit more protein than those competitors. If you are counting carbs or do not want a protein powder that contains sugar, this may not be the best whey protein powder for your needs.
The calorie content is also a bit higher than what you will find in other whey isolate powders today. If you are trying to lose weight and may want to double up to a two-scoop shake, this may not be the ideal shake for you. You can go with other whey isolate powders reviewed on this site and come out with fewer calories and less carbs per shake, and that works out better for weight-loss goals.
What Does It Cost
Each 4.5 pound tub of ON Whey Isolate will come out to approximately $1.82 per serving. This is much higher than many competitors on the market today, which is another strike against Optimum Nutrition’s pure Whey Isolate powder.
Body Fortress Whey Isolate Protein Powder is a strong competitor because it also offers 30 grams of protein per scoop, contains fewer calories per scoop, contains an added amino acid blend, and costs less per scoop. That is a lot of strikes against this powder, so check out Body Fortress and other brands featured on the site before making your final decision.
Is ON Whey Isolate for You?
If you are familiar with the Optimum Nutrition brand and feel more comfortable showing them some loyalty, then the price per scoop of this protein is reasonable. You can get lower prices by catching it on sale online and stocking up for the future.
If you are not into brand loyalty and are shopping on a budget, then this is one of the more expensive whey isolate protein powders out there. You can get the same protein intake and comparable nutritional data by going with Body Fortress or other products featured on this site.
If you can catch a great deal on this powder and do not mind the slightly higher calorie and carbohydrate content, then this protein powder may still be a great buy. You just have to shop smart and get a price that brings it down closer to $1 per serving. One of the lowest-priced 100% whey isolate protein powders currently selling goes for about $1.05 per serving, and that is CytoSport Whey Isolate.
Best Features Compared to Other Whey Isolate Protein Powders:
- More protein per scoop than most competitors
- Reputable brand name consumers trust