Optimum Cookies and Cream Casein Review
Find out if the Cookies & Cream flavor lives up to the gold standard that Optimum Nutrition is known for.
Written by Supplement Critic Staff Writer on June 20, 2023.
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Optimum Nutrition Casein Cookies and Cream
Enhance your workout recovery with the Cookies and Cream Casein from Optimum Nutrition. Get 53 servings of slow-digesting and long-acting Casein in a 4lb tub. Each serving offers 24g protein plus extra minerals.
Optimum Nutrition Cookies and Cream Casein Protein Review
On Amazon, Optimum Nutrition ranks #24 in Sports Nutrition Protein Powder Blends (as of 6/19/23). Optimum Nutrition is known for good quality protein and supplements for fitness enthusiasts.
They have a group of athlete ambassadors that range from tennis players, to whitewater kayakers, and weight lifters.
With their over 35 years of experience in the nutrition and supplement industry, many consider them a ‘gold standard’, which they conveniently put on their labels as well.
In 2022, Bodybuilding.com named several of its products as protein supplements of the year.
Considering their high-ranking status and many positive reviews, I decided to check out this product for myself, specifically the Cookies & Cream flavor. Would the fun flavor live up to its name and legacy of gold standard products?
Product at a Glance:
- Cookies & Cream Flavor
- 24g protein per serving, plus extra minerals
- $1.65 per serving
Under the Lid - My In-Depth Review
One initial thing I like about Optimum Nutrition's Casein is that it has several suggested times and reasons to use it.
The research often recommends casein right before bed, and the directions offer a few additional options.
Bonus suggested uses are between meals or as an anytime snack to support your diet. It is nice to have options for how to use this supplement.
We all want choices, right?
Pros
No-fuss formula, with a few fun frills
Optimum Nutrition’s Casein offers 24g of slow-digesting protein in just 110 calories per serving. The tub advertises 9g of naturally occurring EAAs as well.
I appreciate that this formulation is no-frills, with only 3g carbs and 2g sugars per serving. The information on the side of the tub is straightforward and informative.
Another positive for the formula is the addition of some extra minerals. You can get a little extra boost of Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, and Zinc in Optimum Nutrition.
Additional Certifications
Optimum Nutrition Casein is made in the USA. They are also enrolled in Informed Choice, a quality assurance program that lets consumers like you and me know that the product has been tested for banned substances.
I always recommend that consumers look for a quality control program like this to make sure you are getting exactly what you want from each product.
Cons
This is not a budget buy
While Optimum Nutrition is delivering a good product, it does come at a higher price than most options out there. The 53-serving tub costs $87.95, which almost gets you two months of daily casein.
This breaks down to $1.65 per serving, higher than the majority of options that are closer to $1.00 per serving.
Mixability: I’m not sure about these little cookie pieces
The shake consistency overall was ok. I mixed it on the thinner side, one scoop with 12-14 FL oz of water, but if you want a thicker consistency, 8-10 oz would do the trick.
As far as the cookie bits go, I wasn’t the biggest fan of them, and here’s why:
They eventually sank to the bottom and settled. I had to constantly shake up my shaker to get the cookie bits mixed throughout.
Secondly, drinking the shake through a straw threw me off a bit. The cookie bits added some chocolate flavor for sure, but at the end of the day, I prefer a smoother shake.
That said, some people may really like this textural element.
Flavor tries, but ultimately does not deliver
This is not my favorite flavor. It didn’t have the ‘yum’ factor that I was hoping for, and felt more like an off-brand vanilla imitation than anything else.
The sweetness was off. The artificial vanilla flavor dominated the shake. The little bites were Oreo-adjacent, mixing in some chocolate, and adding a little bit of “crunch” to the mix. That said, I personally wasn’t a huge fan of the little chocolate bits.
It is important to note that I mixed this with 12-14 FL oz of water, so the flavor was less punchy than it could have been.
While the cookies and cream flavor is not my jam, it could be yours!
My Final Thoughts
For me, the flavor did not hold up to the reviews online. While Optimum Nutrition may have some other great products, I feel their Cookies & Cream Casein is below average.
Not only is this flavor lackluster, the texture also has little crunchy cookie pieces that I wasn’t a big fan of, and the price is definitely on the higher end.
If you love all cookie flavors, this could totally work for you! However, if that is not you, I recommend reading another review to find the right casein protein for your fitness goals!
Why Supplement with Casein Protein?
If you're seeking an alternative to the typical fast-acting Whey Protein, consider the potential benefits of slow-digesting Casein Powder.
Because casein is a protein, it can help support muscle recovery and growth when paired with the right training program.
Did you know that Casein Protein contains all of the essential amino acids that we can’t produce on our own and need to get in our food and supplements?
Research also shows that Casein Protein can help with satiety and curb overeating, which is a plus.
Lastly, Casein Protein contains slightly less lactose than Whey Protein Concentrate, which could be a good alternative for lactose-sensitive folks.
Optimum Cookies and Cream Casein
Jump to:
Review
Under The Lid
Pros & Cons
Final Thoughts
Why Supplement With Casein Protein?
