OPTAE Optimum Nutrition Naturally Flavored Gold Standard 100% Micellar Casein Protein Powder, French Vanilla, 2 Pound (Packaging May Vary)

I'm a 34-year old semi-serious distance runner and run about 50 miles a week and I also lift 4 times a week. That type of training really requires an extra boost of protein consumption in order to avoid muscle tissue degradation. I've tried SO many different protein blends over the years and there is really three essentially criteria that are important to me: 1) Low calories (e.g. no added calories and no or very limited extra added sugar) 2) no fake/chemical sugars at all (no aspartame, sucralose, xylitol, maltilol, etc. - they make my stomach churn) 3) As natural as possible (whey protein is a derived product from milk after all!).I always laugh when I see someone reviewing the "taste" of a whey protein supplement. Generally speaking, if a whey protein supplement tastes super good, then it's probably loaded with extra sugar, which will basically counteract any benefit you might get with extra protein supplementation, or else it has chemical sugars which will cause long-term problems and possible GI issues.I don't care about taste at all, it's not at all what I'm looking for. Whey protein isn't supposed to be a treat, it's a supplement. That said, I really do feel like the taste is pretty darn good with this one. Sure, It's not like drinking a milk shake, but it has a smooth flavor that goes down well. I don't ever mix anything it, but I always put tons of ice in my blender bottle and shake it up so it's nice and cold. I feel like with this Casein I have found a winner. I highly recommend this product over all of ON's regular line because its the natural line.Note: If you're purchasing casein as opposed to whey, it's probably because you want the slow-releasing digestive action of amino acids into the bloodstream that is provided by casein over whey. Whey is fast acting and casein is slow and steady. They both have their place, but if you were just to pick one, go with the whey. I actually use both the casein and whey (both vanilla, for now). I have a whey protein shake immediately after my runs/lifts and I take casein protein shake right before bed. I can say that I have noticed serious results when combined with clean eating and consistent training! I follow American College of Sports Medicines protein recommendation of the upper-level of protein supplement which by most researchers is 1g/lbs. for athletes.

ON's Casein is fantastic, a quality product w/ a good price. I really like how well I recover from weight lifting when combining this w/ Whey protein. I used to have really bad delayed muscle soreness but adding casein to my whey regiment, along w/ ON's Creatine has really helped.Taste: The taste itself is mediocre, not as sweet and palatable as Whey but based on other Casein reviews, this is common. This tastes really good combined w/ coffee!Mixed in Water: This casein doesn't mix as well as Whey and can solidify in the form of chunks of powder but for the most part, it dissolves into water well by stirring with a spoon. (I don't bother with mixing jugs or mixing my protein with milk).For a super lean breakfast, I use one scoop of casein w/ about 12 oz of water, 1- 2 apples or bananas, and a cup of coffee.Post Workout: I use half a scoop of this casein w/ half a scoop of ON Vanilla Whey in 12 oz of water & fruit.Occasionally I'll drink one scoop of casein w/ water before bed, but usually I'll eat a cup of greek yogurt instead. Overall, I use this Casein powder about once per day, sometimes twice per day. Very glad I got it.

I wanted the Casein because I mostly take it at night before bed. This stuff tastes fine, and gets the job done like regular protein powder. In the past an unfortunate side effect of protein powders is that, they usually leave me gasy/bloated. I've heard if protein powder affects your bowels it's because the protein isn't absorbing properly. With this Casein powder I don't notice any of the bowel side effects. There is essentially no bloating/gas/upset stomach.I just wanted to leave this review in case anyone else is affected by Whey protein. Maybe Casein will be easier on your stomach.

Wow, This tasted pretty chalky. The smell is fantastic, nice sweet vanilla but the taste does a 180. Its not undrinkable but near.I can get by by adding a tbs of honey and mixing in 16oz of water. By doing that its not half bad but i hate adding sugar to my diet when it should be unnecessary.I drink this at night as a midnight snack about an 1 hour-ish before bed with 5g of Glutamine and it works great to curb hunger while getting nutrients through the night. No lasting bloated effects as of yet but when shaking you have to be pretty vigorous in order for it to dissolve mostly (casein by nature is hydrophobic so i expected this). That in turn causes many tiny bubbles making it "creamy" making me feel bloated for a little while.This is the first Casein product I have used so I cant compare to past purchases but I will most likely buy again but i will 100% get a different flavor.

I’ve been using ON casein protein for years. I count macros so I use this product at night since casein is a slower to digest protein. I mix a serving and a half with a half serving of organic peanut butter and I actually mix it into more of a paste so I can eat it as opposed to drinking it. I look forward to eating that last meal of the day because it tastes really good.