Can anyone recommend me some cheap whey protein (ideally something similar to ON)

Hey guys,

I'm currently using Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein Gold standard, and I'd like either the same thing at a low price (I usually pay ~$150 for a 4.54 kg bag, so anything less is great), or something that is comparable or better (in terms of protein content, taste, mixability) and at roughly the same price.

If you guys know of any other good proteins, by all means please recommend them to me.

Also, I'm a little hesitant about buying from overseas websites since I have heard that customs in the past has confiscated them, though if you've bought from overseas and it's worked out well, please let me know.

Thank you.

Comments

  • +1

    Any reason you want On Gold standard? This is NOT a WPI its a protein blend and unless your Lactose Intolerance there is no real reason that you would go WPI anyway over WPC.

    WPC is much cheaper, you get more protein for your money (you can buy LOTS more). The difference is so small (very small % more protein per serve in WPI but cost up to 50% more) you will not notice it, unless as above your lactose intolerant. WPC is better bang for your buck.

    For WPC or Wpi go to

    bulknutrients.com.au - around $99 for 5Kgs flavored WPC Protein (i just purchased 5kgs, arrived in 2 days - from Tas). its yummy and mixes well and goes wiht my own gainer shake.

    proteindirect.com.au - NZ site, however they are having supply problems at the moment so not sure what stock levels would be like.

    • this post has made me relook at WPC vs WPI….I have been on ON Gold Standard just like the OP, but maybe I should be looking at WPC as the budget-conscious as well as the slower absorption rate over night.

    • hey bugman, I always thought the difference in protein content between WPI and WPC was much more.
      Obviously, depends on the brand, but say, for example, in a 30-35g scoop, I always thought WPI would have about 23-29G protein, whereas WPC had about 18-20.
      I will have to relook at it.

      At the moment, I am finishing my No Bull suppplements WPI I bought on this website.
      Usually I go SAN or Dymatize.

      Will probably be looking at bulk nutrients next as they get good reviews here

      • The difference is not much at all, WPC does have a bit less protein and has tiny bit more fat as well but as before price difference is not worth it. Plus your body needs fat anyway.

        WPI have up to 10% but this is the higher end of the market and again the price difference is just not worth it.

        bulknutrients.com.au WPC - Is 78g per 100g works out to about 23.5c per serve for WPC

  • +1

    Just to expand on Bugmans post. I would agree that you should not buy one of these "labelled" companies protein powder as you are paying for the marketing. Choose a quality Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) or Whey protein concentrate (WPC). There are positives and negatives to both so i'l give you some more info to help you choose the one that's right for you:

    WPI
    - more pure (higher protein percentage)
    - costs more
    - faster absorbing
    - less fat

    WPC
    - Cheaper
    - Slower absorbing
    - contains a higher fat %

    • Although this makes WPC to look inferior to WPI the actual difference isn't as great as I have made it apear

    If you are looking for a protein that will be fast acting and help with recovery as soon as u finish a gym session i'd look at WPI. Also if you are taking protein to help loose weight and are trying to reduce your fat intake also look at WPI.

    If you want a general all purpose protein with a general aim of muscle building then you won't need to worry about the faster absorption and fat% so go for the cheaper WPC.

    My general suggestion would be to buy WPI and WPI at once (~1k WPI:3KG WPC). Take the WPI post workout and WPC during the day or at any other times you want to take protein to get your requirements.

    As bugman said bulknutrients.com.au are a good site. My favourite is nobullsuplements.com.au but you can't really go wrong with either

    • I would agree with everything you said but I think the big myth around WPI is absorption rates, i have looked into trying to a find an answer and as far as i can see the difference is only about 8-10 Min absorption time.

      Its hard to find any accurate information on this, so i could be wrong.

      • For the price difference, why not just sip on WPC during the last 10minutes of your workout?

  • Thank you all for your comments. I don't have any specific "aims" per se that I am trying to get out of protein. I just use it generally to supplement my workouts. So what would you guys recommend I buy off bulknutrients.com.au? Should I go with the regular WPC whey protein, or something more exotic like egg protein powder (or anything else)?

    As you guys have probably figured out, I'm pretty clueless about this stuff.

  • +1

    And just as an aside, ON isn't more expensive than the no brand protein on bulknutrients. 1kg of WPI is $39. I get 4.54kg of ON for $145. It's true that I have to buy in bulk, but I don't mind that. So is the only real benefit that I don't have to buy in bulk to get low prices from bulknutrients?

    • Which ON are you buying, as a lot of ON products are Protein blends and NOT pure WPI protein. So make sure you comparing the same product, The WPI from bulknutrients, no bull, PD ect are all pure WPI.

      • looking at the bulk nutrient calculator, they are measuring and comparing products per 30g of protein. not comparing a 30g serving cup (which is not all 30g of protein).

        Comparing ON vs. bulk nutrient WPI protein levels - bulknutrient has 10% more protein per serve, but this is just an extra ~3g of protein per serve.

        http://www.bulknutrients.com.au/compare-and-save

        Looking at the vitamin/amino acid content, bulk nutrient seems to be the better choice? i didn't have a good look, but bulknutrient has arginine while ON Gold Whey does not.

        Out of all this discussion, I've decided to switch over to WPC instead of WPI. Whether I go with a big brand or bulknutrient or nobull, I have yet to decide….

  • At the end of the day once it is digested protein is protein. Most people who workout are obviously trying to build muscle and need more protein then usual. You can get all your protein from meat if you want but for most it's more convinient to get some of your intake from a shake.

    People say different things bout about 1.5g / kg of body weight is the sweat spot for muscle building. If anyone has any more question or wants help with a diet plan for muscle building send me a message

    • I have heard it's 1 gram/pound of body weight.

      • Yep 1 gram is recommended
        But my macros count to about 0.8 of my body weight

  • -3

    You're better off eating an egg. Protein shakes are a waste of money and is just an effective marketing ploy. Your body can only absorb a certain amount of protein each day, so majority of the protein you'll consume through the shake will just leave your body as waste.

    • sounds like misleading information. Can someone teach this person the right info?

      • -1

        I wouldn't say misleading information from a biology honours student. But it's you own choice.

        • Pity you're not an accounting honours student. Powders are far more cost effective than sourcing protein through eggs, and they are not a waste of money.

          I do tend to agree with you about some of the protein in powders not being absorbed though, and they do lack the other nutrients that eggs provide. I guess thats the price you pay with processed foods.

    • Protein shakes aren't a marketing ploy at all. They are exactly as described, a supplement, as in, they supplement your diet. On a bulk I find shakes a bit of a waste of time (unless I particularly like the taste, or use them in a recipe), but when calories are restricted and I need to have more protein without the extra carbs or fat, they can't be beat.
      Yes, you are better off eating an egg, as it is a whole food, but what if you require the extra protein without the extra fat? What if you need the extra protein without the extra expense? Sure, eggs are cheap. But gram for gram of protein, not as cheap as even the more pricy of powders.
      And yes, your body can only absorb a certain amount of protein each day. Too much (in my experience) causes me great pain, as every bit of concentration goes into holding in the farts. But the exact amount is up in the air (to a degree). 1gram per lb of body weight is a safe bet. 2g per kg is usually considered minimum for muscle building (though if talbot777 is getting gains on less, I won't argue), and little benefit has been shown in more than 2.5g per kg. But when it comes to per meal, there isn't a magic number that any excess within a 3 hour block will be disregarded.

      As per the question. I have bought Bulk Nutrients WPC. It is good and cheap. Unflavoured isn't gross, but it sure is boring. Their flavours are quite nice. I've also bought No Bull Supplements WPI. A bit more exotic in flavours, but man I love that Choc-Coconut!

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