If you’re a fitness enthusiast or someone who’s very mindful about protein intake, chances are you’ve come across Optimum Nutrition (ON) and Solgar. Both brands offer popular whey protein powders, each claiming to provide excellent benefits.
I’ve been a user of ON Gold Standard for years. Recently, I’ve decided to try out Solgar whey protein, as historically, their other products have performed better for me.
➤Click to check Optimum Nutrition whey protein on Amazon
➤Click to check Solgar whey protein on Amazon
Price Point Versus Quantity
When it comes to protein powders, price vs. quantity is a major consideration, especially for those consuming it daily.
- Optimum Nutrition (ON) Price: $44.55 for 2 pounds.
- Solgar Price: $40.50 for 2.3 pounds.
With Solgar, you get more powder for less price. Prices change regularly. Let’s delve deeper into their protein content.
Protein Content Per Serving
Nutritional value is the primary factor to focus on, and here’s where things get interesting:
- Solgar: 20 grams of protein per serving.
- ON: 24 grams of protein per serving.
While Solgar provides more powder for less money, ON offers four more grams of protein per serving. Doing the math per package reveals that you’ll receive 720 grams of protein from Solgar and 696 grams from ON. So basically their raw protein content is almost identical.
Nutritional Breakdown
Let’s break down some numbers to understand the broader nutritional landscape:
- Serving Size: Solgar – 29 grams; ON – 31 grams (negligible difference)
- Fat Content: Both brands have 1.5 grams of total fat.
- Cholesterol: Solgar has 25 milligrams, while ON has 55 milligrams. You might want to consider this if cholesterol levels are a concern, though I’m not a nutritionist to tell the exact health implications.
“You do get more powder for the price, but total protein counts are almost the same.”
Carbohydrates and Sugars
Diving into sugars and carbs, another significant indicator of a product’s nutritional profile:
- Total Sugars: Solgar has 3 grams, while ON has 1 gram.
While ON contains lower sugar, a couple grams here and there likely won’t influence many people’s decisions unless they’re particularly sensitive to sugar intake.
Taste: Solgar vs. ON
Despite having more sugar, Solgar wasn’t significantly different from ON. Both brands have that familiar, slightly artificial chemical aftertaste common with whey proteins.
“I expected more given its higher sugar content, but it tastes almost the same.”
Between the two, taste is quite similar. If sweetness slightly tips the scale for you, then Solgar’s marginally more sugary taste might be something to try.
The Verdict: Personal Preferences
- Accessibility and Cost: Get what’s available and affordable for you since these brands offer very similar quality.
- Source of Protein: Solgar mentions being non-GMO and sourced from pasture-raised cows from New Zealand, indicating its ethical sourcing.
Solgar offers a viable alternative to ON, with slight differences in taste, less cholesterol and a bit more sugar.
As always, stay tuned for more insights and detailed comparisons.
➤Click to check Optimum Nutrition whey protein on Amazon
➤Click to check Solgar whey protein on Amazon