Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey is a whey protein powder with whey protein isolate as the main ingredient, blended with whey protein concentrate and whey peptides. Each serve gives 24 g of protein and 5.5 g of naturally occurring BCAAs, and a Double Rich Chocolate serve is 30.4 g with 496 kJ. It suits beginners and regular lifters alike. Shop Gold Standard 100% Whey.
At a glance
| Detail | Gold Standard 100% Whey |
|---|---|
| Brand | Optimum Nutrition (ON) |
| Type | Whey protein blend (isolate, concentrate and peptides) |
| Serve size | About 1 scoop: 30.4 g for Double Rich Chocolate (scoop weight varies by flavour) |
| Per serve (Double Rich Chocolate) | 24 g protein, 3 g carbohydrate, 1 g sugars, 1 g fat, 50 mg sodium, 496 kJ |
| Amino acids per serve | 11 g essential amino acids (EAAs), including 5.5 g BCAAs, all naturally occurring |
| Servings / sizes we list | 2 lb and 5 lb, and 10 lb. ON Australia lists 909 g, 2.27 kg and 4.55 kg tubs. |
| Flavours we list | 2 lb and 5 lb (range varies by size): Double Rich Chocolate, Extreme Milk Chocolate, White Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Coconut, Chocolate Hazelnut, Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Malt, S'mores, Vanilla Ice Cream, French Vanilla Creme, Delicious Strawberry, Strawberry Banana, Banana Cream, Coffee, Mocha Cappuccino. 10 lb: Cookies and Cream, Double Rich Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla, Banana Cream, Extreme Milk Chocolate. |
| Dietary notes | Contains milk and soy. Labelled gluten free. Not labelled lactose free. |
What is in Gold Standard 100% Whey
The Double Rich Chocolate ingredient list is a protein blend of whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate and whey peptides, with soy lecithin as an emulsifier, cocoa powder, flavours and sweetener (950). ON says whey protein isolate is the primary ingredient.
The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) isolated protein fact sheet explains the difference between the forms. Whey concentrate is 70 to 80% protein with small amounts of carbohydrate and fat, isolate is filtered further to typically 90% protein, and hydrolysed whey is broken down into short chain peptides. Gold Standard has 79 g of protein per 100 g (Double Rich Chocolate), so it sits between a typical concentrate and a typical isolate. The AIS adds that the practical difference between forms is minimal: a 30 g serve of any whey gives about 21 to 27 g of protein.
According to ON, each serve has 11 g of naturally occurring essential amino acids, including 5.5 g of BCAAs. The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) protein position stand suggests 20 to 40 g of protein per serving with a balanced mix of essential amino acids, so one 24 g serve sits in that range.
On testing, ON says Gold Standard 100% Whey is banned substance tested in accordance with the Informed Choice certification, and the product is listed as certified on the Informed Choice website, which says certified products are regularly tested for more than 250 banned and unsafe substances. Testing is batch by batch, so check your batch number.
Who it suits
- People new to protein powder who want a simple whey shake in plenty of flavours.
- Lifters and team sport players after an easy post-training shake.
- Anyone who struggles to get protein at breakfast or snacks. The AIS gives the example of adding a scoop of protein powder to porridge to lift a low-protein breakfast.
Who should check first
- Milk or soy allergy: it contains milk and soy, so it is not suitable.
- Lactose intolerance: it is not labelled lactose free. The AIS notes the small amount of lactose in whey concentrate may matter for people who are particularly intolerant.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding or a medical condition: the label's suggested use is for healthy adults, so talk to your doctor first.
- Under 18: the label is written for adults, so ask a doctor or sports dietitian first.
- Drug-tested athletes: Sport Integrity Australia says no supplement can fully guarantee you will not test positive. Enter the product and batch number in the Sport Integrity app before use.
How to use Gold Standard 100% Whey
Mix about one scoop (30.4 g for Double Rich Chocolate) into 180 to 240 mL of cold water, milk or another drink, then stir, shake or blend for about 30 seconds until dissolved. The label suggests having it 30 to 60 minutes after your workout, or as an anytime snack in a balanced, high-protein diet. The recommended daily consumption on the label is 1 serving.
Scoop weight differs between flavours, so check the serve size on your tub. Mixing with milk adds protein and kilojoules on top of the panel figures, which cover the powder only.
For the bigger picture, the AIS says athletes in heavy training need about 1.2 to 1.6 g of protein per kg of body weight a day, spread over 3 to 5 meals and snacks of about 15 to 30 g each. It recommends food first, with protein supplements limited to 1 or 2 serves a day. Work out your own number with our guide to how much protein per day.
How it compares
- R1 Protein WPI by Rule 1: made from whey isolate and partially hydrolysed whey isolate with no whey concentrate, according to Rule 1. A fit if you want an isolate-only formula.
- CBUM Itholate Protein: a whey protein isolate from Raw Nutrition with 25 g of protein per scoop.
- Rapid Vegan Plant Protein: the dairy-free option, with 23.3 g of protein per 30 g scoop (Chocolate) from pea, brown rice and seed proteins.
Weighing up a blend against an isolate? Read whey protein isolate vs whey blend.
Where to buy Gold Standard 100% Whey in Melbourne and Australia
You can buy Gold Standard 100% Whey in 2 lb, 5 lb or 10 lb online at Supps247 with Australia-wide delivery (see shipping and returns), or order online and collect from one of 11 Supps247 stores that offer click and collect pickup. Supps247 has 18 stores, 17 in Victoria plus Richlands in Queensland, so use the store locator to find your nearest one. Staff in store can help you compare labels side by side, and our price match guarantee covers eligible items (conditions apply).
Gold Standard Whey review: our verdict
Gold Standard 100% Whey is still one of the easiest protein powders to recommend, especially for beginners. It gives 24 g of protein per serve, mixes by stirring or shaking, comes in a long list of flavours with sizes up to 10 lb, and ON says it is Informed Choice certified. The honest trade-off is that it is a blend, not a pure isolate. It contains whey concentrate and is not labelled lactose free, so people who are very sensitive to lactose may do better with an isolate such as R1 Protein. For everyone else, it is a dependable everyday shake that does the basics well.
FAQs
How much protein is in Gold Standard 100% Whey?
Each serve has 24 g of protein. In Double Rich Chocolate a serve is 30.4 g, which is 79 g of protein per 100 g, with 496 kJ, 3 g of carbohydrate and 1 g of fat. Scoop weights differ a little between flavours, so check your tub.
Is Gold Standard Whey good for beginners?
Yes. It is one scoop per serve with simple mixing directions. The label recommends 1 serve a day in a balanced, high-protein diet, so start there and get the rest of your protein from food.
Is Gold Standard 100% Whey lactose free?
No. It is labelled gluten free but not lactose free. The blend includes whey protein concentrate, which the AIS notes carries a small amount of lactose, and it contains milk and soy.
How many serves are in a tub of Gold Standard Whey?
The Australian Double Rich Chocolate panel lists 74 serves of 30.4 g, which matches the 2.27 kg (5 lb) tub. Serve counts change with tub size and flavour, so check the number printed on the tub you buy.
When should I take Gold Standard Whey?
The label suggests 30 to 60 minutes after training, or as an anytime snack. The ISSN protein position stand says protein before or after a workout both help, and the effect of exercise on muscle lasts at least 24 hours.
Label details checked against the official Optimum Nutrition Australia product page and its Australian label panel on 19 October 2026. Formulas can change, so always read the label on the product you buy and follow the directions.
Sources: Optimum Nutrition Australia, Gold Standard 100% Whey; Optimum Nutrition Australia, Double Rich Chocolate label panel; Optimum Nutrition, tub side panel; Informed Choice, ON Gold Standard 100% Whey listing; Australian Institute of Sport, Group A: isolated protein supplements; Jäger et al. (2017), ISSN position stand: protein and exercise; Sport Integrity Australia, Supplements in sport; Rule One Proteins, R1 Protein Whey Isolate; Raw Nutrition, CBUM Itholate Protein; Rapid Supplements, Rapid Vegan Plant Protein
