Protein shakes
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Extreme Milk Chocolate
5.64 lb/2.56 kg
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains seed oils
- Contains artificial flavors
Why it scores 45
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Extreme Milk Chocolate scores 45 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K): In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, acesulfame-K intake was associated with higher cancer risk; cause and effect is not established. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Sucralose: In a 2022 randomized study, sucralose and saccharin altered the gut microbiome and impaired glucose responses in some people; a 2023 lab study raised questions about its by-product sucralose-6-acetate. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better protein powders
-
Whey protein Jarrow Formulas · 32 oz No non-nutritive sweeteners · No seed oils Score 81 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
Whey Protein Isolate Nutricost · 32 oz/2 lb/907 g Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 79 out of 100 , 34 points higher -
Organic whey protein bourbon vanilla Simply Tera's · 12 oz No seed oils · No artificial flavors Score 81 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
Protein powder chocolate Just Ingredients · 17.46 g Not ultra-processed · No seed oils Score 79 out of 100 , 34 points higher -
Chocolate Collagen Peptides Plus Reishi Mushroom Further Food No seed oils · No artificial flavors Score 79 out of 100 , 34 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Gold Standard 100% Whey Extreme Milk Chocolate
Ingredients
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 7.5 points
- Sucralose minus 7.5 points
- Protein blend (unspecified) minus 2.5 points
- Whey protein concentrate / isolate minus 1.5 points
- Natural and artificial flavors minus 1.5 points
- Sunflower oil minus 1.5 points
- Soy lecithin minus 0.5 points
- Maltodextrin minus 0.5 points
- Modified starch minus 0.5 points
- Potassium phosphate minus 0.5 points
- Calcium phosphate minus 0.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 6 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 7.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 6.3 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Saturated fat 3.1 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Salt 1 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 375 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 3.1 g / 100 g plus 2 points
- Protein 75 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 55 = 45
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 375 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 6.3 g |
| Saturated fat | 3.1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 9.4 g |
| Sugars | 6.3 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 3.1 g |
| Protein | 75 g |
| Salt | 1 g |
Serving: 1 scoop (32 g)
Ingredients
- Protein blend (whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, hydrolyzed whey protein)
- cocoa powder (processed with alkali)
- natural and artificial flavor
- sunflower
- soy lecithin
- creamer (sunflower oil, maltodextrin, modified food starch, dipotassium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, tocopherols) (not recognized)
- salt
- acesulfame potassium (moderate concern)
- sucralose (moderate concern)
Label text, as published
Protein blend (whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, hydrolyzed whey protein), cocoa powder (processed with alkali), natural and artificial flavor, sunflower and/or soy lecithin, creamer (sunflower oil, maltodextrin, modified food starch, dipotassium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, tocopherols), salt, acesulfame potassium, sucralose
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Soy
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Packaging
Plastic
Context only: no points in v1.
More protein shakes on GoodSwap
-
High Quality Protein Fairlife · 11.5 fl oz (340 mL) Contains non-nutritive sweetenersContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 84 out of 100 Excellent -
Core Power High Protein Milk Shake Chocolate Fairlife · 14 oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 46 out of 100 Okay -
CORE POWER High Protein Milk Shake Chocolate Rlife · 414 mL Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 51 out of 100 Okay -
High Protein Milk Shake fa!rlife CORE POWER · 14 fl oz/414 mL Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 49 out of 100 Okay -
Protein Shake Oikos · 12 oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains seed oils Score 64 out of 100 Good -
Core Power Fairlife · 414 mL Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 49 out of 100 Okay
More from Optimum Nutrition
-
Protein powder Optimum Nutrition · 80 × 31 g Score 83 out of 100 Excellent -
Micronized Creatine Powder Optimum Nutrition · 300 g Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
100% Whey Gold Standard Optimum Nutrition · 5 lb (2.27 kg) Score 92 out of 100 Excellent -
100% Whey Protein Optimum Nutrition · 24.5 oz Score 58 out of 100 Okay
Sources
-
Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: Results from the NutriNet-Santé population-based cohort study
“In this large cohort study, artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame and acesulfame-K), which are used in many food and beverage brands worldwide, were associated with increased cancer risk.”
doi.org
-
Re-evaluation of acesulfame K (E 950) as food additive (plain language summary)
“The acceptable daily intake (ADI) considered safe for all population groups was set at 15 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline
“The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
-
Personalized microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human glucose tolerance
“As groups, each administered NNS distinctly altered stool and oral microbiome and plasma metabolome, whereas saccharin and sucralose significantly impaired glycemic responses.”
doi.org
-
“Sucralose-6-acetate significantly increased the expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer”
doi.org
-
“EFSA’s experts concluded that the sweetener sucralose (E 955) continues to be safe for consumers for its currently authorised uses as a food additive.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
-
EFSA issues new advice on phosphates
“We estimated that dietary exposure to phosphates may exceed the new ADI for infants, toddlers and children with average consumption of phosphates in their diet.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
-
Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
-
“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org