Optimum NutritionPlatinum Hydrowhey Protein Powder, 100% Hydrolyzed Whey Isolate Powder, Flavor: Velocity Vanilla, 3.5 Pounds (Packaging May Vary)

When I was setting up an "Insanity" workout schedule back in the late summer (which I had to leave off once allergy season started), I researched and bought a number of different health-shake related products. The short version of this review is that I tried ON's Platinum Hydro Whey first, as a supplement to the P90X formula; eventually ran out of it; tried the other things I bought; and am now giving them away to go back to this!Being somewhat lactose intolerant, I worried that a pure milk product would be a problem, but decided to risk it due to the hydrolyzed state. Perhaps because of that I never once had a problem with this product. (And I see some other reviewers didn't either, although some have in fact had stomach cramps, so apparently it depends on the personal biochemistry. Buyer be warned. UPDATED TO ADD: as of early September 2012, the product now contains a slight amount of lactose. Not enough to bother me, but could be problematic for other people.)I bought the vanilla version (also in other products) specifically for the purpose of adding some protein and now-missing vanilla flavor back to the new version of the P90X Recovery Formula drink. As many people here will be aware, this was a very popular drink in its original incarnation, largely due to its strong mixture of vanilla and orange flavors. The new version tastes more like Tang, but lacks the sugar and vanilla flavor to hide the vitamin/mineral aftertaste.ON Platinum Hydro Whey added that vanilla flavor back to the P90 mix; and also beefed up the protein to carb ratio. (The P90 has a lot more carbs than proteins.) To this I added a bit of real Tang.As other people have reported, the Hydro Whey mixes very easily and thoroughly (even moreso than the P90 mix, by the way, which is no slouch in this department!) On the other hand, I probably wouldn't try to drink this as a straight milk supplement or alone with water, as I doubt the taste, although very good, would be strong enough for me. On yet another hand, the taste has no mineralish bite or aftertaste to it (because there aren't any added vitamins and minerals, duh!)Buyers should keep in mind the report of other reviewers, that ON is being rather misleading about the supposedly superior amount of protein compared to their normal Gold Standard whey products. Mathematically speaking, there is practically no difference. I can't testify to any other differences, although technically I suppose the hydrolyzed state should metabolize much faster (and maybe mixes better). On the other hand, some people don't actually want so quick a metabolization, and would rather have the material digest over time. I don't know enough to opine on the merits of either theory, but as someone who has trouble digesting milk products I appreciate any quicker digestion!Anyway, I'm buying it again and getting rid of the other things I test-bought, as they don't mix as well or taste as good (although the latter is subjective and they do have advantages this doesn't. But of course I'm mixing this with something that has those other advantages already, so...)

The product is perfect but their business practice is anti-consumer.The quality is great. No bloating, no digestive issues, no problem mixing, all tastes are good but I wouldn't buy it outside of a discount. It's too expensive. Other than pricing, I wish it would come in larger containers to be more affordable. Nonetheless, solid choice. Recommended at a good discount.

The ON platinum may be more expensive than other brands, but just remember, you get what you pay for. After bariatric (GB) surgery, my doctor said I needed 60 grams of protein a day. A lack of protein after GB results in hair loss, fatigue and muscle wasting. I only rarely ate meat pre- GB, and even less now. I began to have the classic symptoms, with the hair loss and fatigue being the worst. With GB restricting meal size to itty bitty portions, and not being a huge meat-eater, I was desperate to find a way to get enough protein daily. I tried just about every other brand of protein powder on the market with unpleasant results. They were impossible to dissolve in liquids, stayed lumpy, had an off-taste, were gritty in the mouth, and were low in the amount of protein per serving. After reading a magazine article about any contaminants or heavy metals found in commercial protein powders, it looked like ON was one of the safest, so I ordered the platinum hydro-whey in vanilla. Wow. No off-taste, it's whey (the best source), and one serving (one scoop) is a whopping 30 grams of protein. When you first add it to liquid, it appears that while it mostly dissolves (hydrolyzed?), there are a few small lumps. Just do a very little stirring. Even so, I can't detect any lumps or grit when drinking it.I hope this helps fellow GB-ers in need of protein sources. GB is life changing, and finding adequate protein has been a real challenge for me. I'm not a morning person and can't handle a big breakfast. A morning drink made with ON works for me and supplies me with half of the protein I need all day. But you can have them any time you want. Yes, my hair loss started stabilizing and is getting better. My fatigue is improving. I had really gotten myself down a hole 6-9 months after GB surgery, and I don't expect miracles overnight, but I'm really seeing my health improve after getting more protein in my diet. I'll give my basic recipe for a ON protein drink, but you can try many variations on it. Good luck to you all in your weight loss and health journey.In an 8 to 16 oz. mug or glass, add 1/2 cup more or less of water. Add a teaspoon or two of instant coffee crystals (I use Folger's classic roast) and stir. Add 2 to 4 squirts of Torani sugar free syrup. Add one scoop of ON and stir. Add more liquid to taste. This can be more water, milk (low fat for less calories), coffee and milk, coffee, or? I then like to add a couple of ice cubes, but that's optional. The variations on this can be endless. Use coffee or not. Use milk or not. Use Torani or not. Try different Torani flavor combinations (1/2 caramel and 1/2 vanilla is good). Vary the amounts/portions of any of the ingredients to taste. I don't use any measuring cups or spoons now for this. Less dirty things to wash and the measurements don't need to be exact. Whatever glass or cup is handy, a spoon out of the silverware drawer and available ingredients, and a scoop of ON. I haven't tried fruit juice yet, but was thinking that OJ and low fat milk (no coffee) might be creme-sicle-ish. GB-ers be careful to check the grams of sugars in juice servings. Not sure if Torani makes sugar free OJ syrup, but I know they make some sugar free fruit flavors.After running out using the small ON container size, I now order the 3.5 pound size and keep a spare on hand. ON doesn't seem to be available at many retail stores, so Amazon is the best source I've found for speed and best price. When I occasionally run out of ON and fill in with something else in a pinch - Yuck!

This mixes easily and tastes good. There's nothing that i could say bad about it. The only possible downside is that it is a bit pricy but it is well priced for hydrolyzed whey so even that is a non-issue in the grand scheme.