He specialises in working with people that have busy lives and don't necessarily have time to exercise and cook complex nutritious meals. Having had a 9-5 desk-job, Joe understands the struggles of juggling a hectic life with trying to maintain a good physique.
Joe has helped over 100 professionals lose weight and feel better about themselves using simple, repeatable daily habits and an easy-to-use spreadsheet to track everything.
Joe has also been quoted on several respected sites including Nike, Live Science and Health.com.
While Joe mainly works online these days, he also offers 1-2-1 personal training sessions across Sussex and Surrey.
If you want to know more, check out the about page, or get in touch
- How Much Weight Can You Realistically Lose in 3 Months? - January 14, 2024
- How To Lose 1kg a Week (Guaranteed) - August 20, 2023
- How To Count Calories (or Estimate) and Stay on Track When Eating Out at Restaurants - July 25, 2023
My Protein Impact Whey and Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard are two of the most important Whey Protein products in the UK.
They are among the most well-known and ubiquitous supplements on the market, and both offer excellent nutritional profiles, taste and value for money.
So how to pick which one to use?
Well, with difficulty!
Protein powder isn’t cheap, and it’s an important investment in your arsenal of tools for achieving your dream body so it’s really important that you pick something that’s affordable in the long term, something that takes god, and something that actually works.
So we know that these two brands are doing something right given their popularity, but which is actually best?
Let’s take a look…
My Protein Impact Whey
My Protein is the UK’s top-selling and arguably most well-known brand of whey protein.
The big difference between My Protein and all other powders on the market when it was released was the price.
My Protein was much cheaper than all other powders on the market, especially in the UK because it was manufactured here so it didn’t need to be imported.
It was also only available online (originally) and came in flexible tags rather than big plastic tubs. Now, My Protein can be bought in stores and is no longer the cheapest brand out there, but in general, it’s still much cheaper than established brands like Optimum Nutrition, Reflex and USN.
Now My Protein sells almost any kind of protein and supplement you can think of, but in my opinion Impact Whey is still their best product and one I keep coming back to time after time.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard
Like My Protein, Optimum Nutrition is a brand that’s been around for some time now, and like My Protein, this is a UK-based brand, but there are some key differences.
Optimum Nutrition is more expensive for a start. It comes in fewer flavours and it’s sold in a Saturday plastic tub, so it definitely positions itself as a more serious, premium product.
Optimum Nutrition are partnered with several official sporting bodies, including; The English Cricket Board, England Rugby, the English Institute of Sport and Saracens Rugby club, so it definitely comes with a level of trust and endorsement
But does this make it ‘better’ than My Protein? Read on and you’ll find out!
Nutrition
The Nutritional stats are arguably the most important aspect of any protein powder, after all, you are literally buying My Protein or Optimum nutrition as a protein supplement, which means it needs to fulfil a couple of criteria;
- High in protein. This is the most obvious requirement, the entire aim to get more protein into your diet
2. Low in calories. You could have just eaten more cheap foods that contain protein like fatty meat and buts. The problem is, these foods also come with a load of calories which will probably make you gain weight faster than you want to. So, protein powder needs to offer a high amount of protein, for relatively few calories.n
Here’s how the two stack up;
| My Protein Impact Whey | Optimum Nutrition Gold Standrad | |
| Calories per 100g | 412 | 377 |
| Protein per 100g | 82g | 77g |
| Carbs per 100g | 4g | 4g |
| Fat per 100g | 8g | 5g |
| Best Price (1kg/908g) | £39.99* | £32.99 |
*£25.99 with current discount code (BEST)
Price
After nutrition, price is the next biggest consideration.
We all know we can get high-quality protein from beef, fish and chicken but meat is expensive, especially in 2023 amidst the cost of living crisis.
As a side note, whey protein supplements along with everything else have massively gone up in price along with everything else on 2022 and 2023 as a result of inflation.
So, the solution is whey protein which as a much more cost-effective way (Whey – sorry) to add more protein to your diet;
My Protein
| Size | My Protein Impact Whey Price* |
| 250g | £11.99** |
| 500g | £21.99** |
| 1kg | £39.99** |
| 2.5kg | £91.99** |
| 5kg | £169.99** |
*Based on Cereal Milk flavour
**These are full prices which you’ll almost never pay on My Protein. At the moment there is a discount for 35% off all products, so for the 1kg you’d actually pay £25.99
Optimum Nutrition
| Size | Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Price |
| 450g | £19.99 |
| 908g | £32.99 |
| 2.27kg | £69.99 |
| 4.54gkg | £119.99 |
Offers
Related to price is of course the offer. Now I’m writing this in 2023 and the offers literally change all the time so it’s impossible to keep up, but what I will say is that My Protein almost ALWAYS have good offers on.
Optimum Nutrition is less so, although you can sometimes get Optimum Nutrition for less than My Protein if you look hard enough.
My recommendation would be to always check the My Protein website first for offers and deals, as you can sometimes get some really cheap products.
The code below will get you 35% off and will apparently *always* work. Don’t shoot the messenger if it doesn’t!
Mixability
While flavour, and range of flavours is important, especially if you’re using a whey protein supplement daily, mixability is also key to your enjoyment of whichever brand you choose.
The worst possible scenario is to have a protein powder that tastes great, but comes out lumpy when it’s mixed.
Even the best flavour in the world won’t be enjoyable if you’re swallowing down lumps of unmixed powder.
Do be sure that it’s not you that’s the problem though, for a nice smooth, silky milkshake-like texture, you’ll want to;
- Make sure you have a good shaker. Get one with a metal ball rather than a plastic grate as it’ll do a much better job.
- Put your back into it. The texture will only ever be as good as your mixing technique. The more vigorously you shake, the smoother texture you’ll get.
Luckily both My Protein and Optimum Nutrition mix well without too many lumps, but if you really want to see, I have a video of me mixing each below.
Optimum Nutrition Mixability
My Protein Mixability
Flavour Range
For me, this isn’t one of the most important aspects of any whey protein brand. I buy and use a LOT of whey, and I get bored quickly, so I need lots of different flavours that I can rotate.
There are also a ton of different recipes out there that include whey protein, and having a lot of different flavours at your disposal allows you to create these recipes.
So how does the flavour range stack up…?
My Protein Impact Whey
This is probably the best thing about Impact Whey There are SO many flavours.
There are constantly new flavours being added, and old ones being taken away, but here are the ones currently available on the My Protein website;
(By the way, if you want to know what the best my protein flavours are, check out my other post where I review every flavour)
- Apple Crumble and Custard
- Banana
- Banoffee Pie
- Blueberry
- Blueberry Cheesecake
- Brown Sugar Milk Tea
- Cereal Milk
- Cherry Yogurt
- Chocolate Banana
- Chocolate Brownie
- Chocolate Coconut
- Chocolate Mint
- Chocolate Nut
- Chocolate Smooth
- Cinnamon Danish
- Coconut
- Coffee
- Coffee Caramel
- Cookies and Cream
- Dark Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate and Salted Caramel
- Gold
- Natural Chocolate
- Natural Strawberry
- Natural Vanilla
- Peach Tea
- Raspberry
- Red Bean
- Pineapple
- Raspberry
- Rocky Road
- Salted Caramel
- Speculoos
- Spiced Pumpkin Latte
- Stevia Blueberry and Raspberry
- Stevia Chocolate
- Stevia Chocolate Mint
- Stevia Strawberry
- Stevia Vanilla
- Stracciatella
- Strawberry Jam Roly Poly
- Tiramisu
- Sticky Toffee Pudding
- Summer Fruits
- Unflavoured/Natural
- Vanilla
- Vanilla and Raspberry
- White Chocolate
- Yoghurt
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey
While Optimum Nutrition does have a good range of flavours, their offering is nowhere NEAR a match for My Protein
There are 13 flavours in total, 5 of which are chocolate based. There is a lot to try here but you’ll likely work your way through these pretty quickly.
- Banana Cream
- Caramel Toffee Fudge
- Chocolate Hazelnut
- Chocolate Mint
- Chocolate Peanut Butter
- Cookies and Cream
- Delicious Strawberry
- Double Rich Chocolate
- Extreme Milk Chocolate
- French Vanilla
- Unflavoured
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- White Chocolate Raspberry
Size/Weight Options
Size options are an often overlooked aspect of protein powders.
Ideally, you want as many size options as possible to cater for different needs. Do be aware that in general, as with most other things in life, the bigger the size you buy, the more value for money you’ll be getting.
I don’t always go for cost-effectiveness though, here are how I think different size (weight) options suit a different need
Small sizes: (e.g. 250-500g): These are perfect if you are going away for a weekend, or a week and just want some protein to take away with you. It means you don’t have to take a heavier weight which could tip you over that crucial 20kg luggage limit at the airport. Smaller sizes are also ideal if you want to try a new flavour that you’re not sure you’ll enjoy- Brown Sugar Milk Tea anyone?
Medium Sizes (e.g. 1kg): This is the most common size I’ll purchase. This is generally reserved for ‘safe’ flavours that I know and love, that I’ll use regularly on their own to make a shake.
Large Sizes (1.5kg-5kg): I’ll only buy large serving sizes if I know for a fact that I like the flavour (and I won’t get bored of it) and that I’ll be using it almost daily. For example, if I buy a 2.5kg bag of chocolate flavour, I know that it’s an inoffensive taste that I can use for shakes, or for recipes like mug cakes etc.
Here are the different size options available from each brand:
My Protein
- 250g
- 500g
- 1kg
- 2.5kg
- 5kg
Optimum Nutrition
- 450g
- 908g
- 2.27kg
- 4.54kg
Packaging
This is the one thing about these two brands that’s the most different.
As I mentioned earlier, My Protein comes in a flexible plastic (but foil-lined) bag, while Optimum Nutrition comes in a Bulky solid plastic tub with a lid.
Of course, neither is ‘best’ but here are the pros and cons of each;
Flexible bag (My Protein):
Pros
- Easily to fix in a suitcase or bag as it can be ‘shaped’ to a degree
- Easily to cram into small cupboard spaces
Cons
- You need scissors to open the bag and re-sealing it can be hit and miss
- If you don’t re-seal it properly and it falls out a cupboard, your kitchen will look like a scene out of Scarface
Sold Platsic Tub (Optimum Nutitrtion)
Pros
- Sturdy and unlikely to ever get damaged or ripped
- The screw-on lid means that you’ll never get a spillage or accident (unless you don’t screw it on properly)
Cons
- Takes up more room in cupboards, bags and suitcases
Scoop Sizes
Scoop size is kind of irrelevant, however when using any protein supplement, most people will generally have one serving, which is generally one scoop, so lets’ look at how the scoop sizes compare;
N.B. The nutrition will vary slightly depending on what flavour you pick, it’s not practical for me to list the nutrition info for every flavour, but this can be found on their respective websites!
My Protein
Scoop Size: 25g
Nutrition per Scoop:
| Calories | 90 |
| Protein | 20 |
| Carbs | 1 |
| Fat | 0 |
Optimum Nutrition
Scoop Size: 31g
Nutrition per Scoop:
| Calories | 115 |
| Protein | 24 |
| Carbs | 1 |
| Fat | 1 |
Summary
These are both VERY good products from UK-based supplements companies, and there really is very little to choose between them.
Having said that, I’d personally always go for My Protein as the winner.
The fact that it’s (usually) considerably cheaper and is deemed to be one of the highest quality powders on the market by this Lab Door study means that My Protein sneaks it for me.
One of the other aspects I love about the brand is that they are constantly releasing the next flavour, so there’s always something new to try.
Of course, Optimum Nutrition is endorsed by English Rugby and Cricket, so it’s certainly high quality too.
When it comes down to it, the best option is going to be the brand that suits your tastes and budget. My recommendation? Try both and see which you like the best.
FAQs
Which whey protein brand is best?
There are many different brands of whey protein on the market, and the best one for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Some popular and well-regarded brands of whey protein include Optimum Nutrition, My Protein, MuscleTech, USN, Scitech Nutrition, Applied Nutrition and BSN.
When choosing a whey protein powder, it’s important to consider the quality of the protein, the ingredients used, and any added nutrients or flavors. You should also consider your budget and any dietary restrictions or allergies you may have.
It’s a good idea to read product reviews and do some research to find a whey protein powder that meets your needs and fits your budget. It’s also a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional or a sports nutritionist to get personalized recommendations.
Is Myprotein or Optimum Nutrition FDA approved?
he Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve dietary supplements, including protein powders, before they are sold. However, the FDA does have regulations in place to ensure the safety and quality of dietary supplements.
Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), dietary supplement manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that their products are safe and accurately labeled. The FDA can take action against dietary supplement products that are found to be unsafe or misbranded.
It’s important to note that the FDA does not review or test dietary supplements for effectiveness before they are sold. As a result, it is important for consumers to be cautious when selecting and using dietary supplements, including protein powders.
It’s always a good idea to do your own research and due diligence when choosing a protein powder or any other supplement. It’s also a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional or a sports nutritionist before starting to use any new supplement to make sure it is safe and appropriate for you.
Which protein powder gives fast results?
Protein powders can be a convenient and effective way to help support muscle recovery and growth, but it’s important to keep in mind that they are not a magic solution for building muscle. Gaining muscle mass and strength requires a combination of proper nutrition, exercise, and adequate rest.
That being said, some protein powders may be more quickly absorbed by the body and therefore more effective at supporting muscle recovery and growth. For example, whey protein like My Protein Impact Whey or Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard are both complete protein that is quickly and easily absorbed by the body, making it a popular choice among athletes and bodybuilders.
It’s also important to note that the timing of when you take your protein powder can make a difference in its effectiveness. Many people find that taking protein shortly after a workout can help support muscle recovery and growth.
Ultimately, the best protein powder for you will depend on your individual needs and goals. It’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional or a sports nutritionist to determine the right protein powder and dosing schedule for you.
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