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Choosing the Right Protein Powder Shouldn’t Feel So Overwhelming…
But with as many options as there are these days, picking one can be as paralyzing as deciding what to eat for dinner. In the new age of transparency, fitness enthusiasts and the health-conscious are blessed with an abundance of healthy protein supplements… which also means they can be cursed.
In the interest of simplification, we decided to dig through all the noise and get the scoop (wink, wink) on two of the best options out there. And while there are plenty of brands dishing out holistic and nutrient-packed protein, the two that consistently stood out to us were Naked Nutrition’s Whey Protein and Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein.
We stacked these two protein powders up next to one another because, after all, there can only be one real gold standard. Whether you’re looking for a protein supplement for muscle recovery, weight management, or simply to support a healthy lifestyle… we’re laying it all out for you to make the right decision (that doesn’t take months of trial and error to make).
Naked and Optimum: The Tale of the Tape
Optimum Nutrition was founded in 1986 with the mission of helping performance focused athletes achieve their goals. The brand has a cult-like following in the fitness community, and are known for their commitment to quality and high standards for their products.
Naked Nutrition launched in 2014, with the core philosophy that supplements should be healthy, effective, and simple—using as few ingredients as possible. Those interested in taking a protein supplement clearly care about what goes into their bodies, so Naked Nutrition wanted to give them back the power of making that decision. They use no additives, artificial sweeteners, or fillers, and they source their Whey from small Northern California and Idaho dairy farms. It’s easy to understand why they call themselves “Naked” after seeing how much B.S. they strip away…
Both products definitely take their performance and health seriously. But it’s always more fun when there’s a winner… so we’ll break it down into four main categories to see who comes out on top.
Production Process: Naked Whey
Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein is a combination of whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, and whey peptides. Apart from protein, this product consists of just a few ingredients, with flavorings, sweeteners, and digestive enzymes rounding out the list. Despite the presence of Aminogen®, an enzyme that aids in protein digestion, and lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose, the most prevalent adverse effects linked with Optimum 100% Whey are still protein and lactose.
Naked Whey is sourced from grass-fed, free roaming dairy farms all in the United States. They use a cold processing technique to ensure the nutrients in the whey aren’t denatured, and that all the amino acids & omega-3s are left intact. The result is a powerful whey protein with literally one ingredient: protein packed, powdered whey. It’s also Informed Choice Trusted By Sport certified, which ensures the purity of their products as well.
While the idea of a flavored protein is appealing, the use of additives in Optimum Nutrition’s 100% Whey Protein lets you know that the powder may not be…um… 100% whey protein. Naked Nutrition crushes every stage of their production process, lets you know exactly where everything is coming from, and streamlines their whey protein so that it truly is just whey.
Going above and beyond to pack power and peace of mind is enough for us to deem Naked Whey the winner of category one.
Price: Naked Whey
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein comes in at $85.99 for a one time purchase of a canister with 74 servings. So, if we’re judging based on price per serving, that’s $1.16/serving for the one time purchase, but if you’re serious about fitness, you’re probably re-upping your protein once it empties. Optimum Nutrition doesn’t offer a subscription price, but they are readily available at retailers all over the U.S.
Naked Whey comes in a rather large container (5lbs to be exact), and puts you at $94.99 for 76 servings. They also have a subscription discount for 20% off your first purchase and a recurring 10% off thereafter. That puts Naked Whey at $1.25/serving for a one time purchase and only $0.99-$1.12 per serving with the subscription.
While Naked Whey looks more expensive on the outset, you’re actually getting a lot more bang for your buck. For literal pennies per serving, you can get a much better product and much better gains. Naked Whey takes the (protein-packed) cake again!
Nutritional Profiles: Naked Whey
Naked Whey packs 25 grams of protein and 5.9 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), including all nine essential amino acids—so it’s a complete protein source. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein provides just 24 grams of protein per serving and only 5.5 grams of BCAAs.
We give the category win to Naked Whey.
Ingredient Transparency: Naked Whey
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein gluten-free and definitely has more than one ingredient with each tub of powder containing about 7 ingredients (or more depending on what flavor you get). They offer more than 20 different flavors, and the banned substance tests make us feel good about believing their product isn’t harmful to your body.
But even still, the idea of one single ingredient in a protein powder is alluring. Naked Whey prides itself on not just adding any artificial sweeteners or sugars, but absolutely zero fillers as well. It’s GMO-free, soy-free, gluten-free, and even goes through a rigorous testing process to make sure it doesn’t contain any trace of toxic heavy metals.
Naked Whey’s “no bullshit” mantra works out well for this category. You know you’re getting exactly what you need and only what you need for aiding in muscle recovery and building a better you. Unfortunately, for a lot of people, adding processed flavoring can compromise the hard work you put in. (What even are “natural flavors?”)
It’s Pretty Clear Who We’ll Be Choosing.
If you don’t mind some of the extra stuff they need to add for flavoring, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein is still a great choice. It’s not like they’re adding literal toxins to the powder (which isn’t something we can say for every supplement brand.)
But if you’re looking for the cleanest, simplest, and most affordable choice for high-quality protein that will respect your body just as much as you do… Naked Whey is probably your answer. Not all heroes wear capes (or clothes, it seems.)
