Momentous vs Optimum Nutrition: Comparing Protein and Creatine by the Label

Momentous vs Optimum Nutrition at a Glance

Label details are from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) entries listed in Sources; products are reformulated over time, so check the label on the bottle you buy. FormulaCompare does not rank brands or name a winner.

Whey Protein: What the Labels Show

We compared each brand’s flagship whey using current NIH DSLD label entries for chocolate flavors.

Protein per scoop

Gold Standard lists 24 g of protein per 31 g scoop; Momentous Essential lists 20 g per 28.7 g scoop. Per gram of powder, both are high-protein products (roughly 70 to 77% protein by weight, based on the labels). The International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand on protein (Jäger et al., 2017) suggests about 20 to 40 g of high-quality protein per meal or snack, spread across the day, with total intakes of about 1.4 to 2.0 g per kg of body weight daily for most exercising people. Either product fits that range with one or two scoops.

Isolate vs blend

Momentous uses whey protein isolate only. Gold Standard uses isolate as its primary source, plus concentrate and hydrolyzed whey peptides. Isolate is filtered further, so it typically has less lactose and fat; concentrate retains a bit more of both. People with lactose intolerance often tolerate isolate better. Gold Standard adds lactase (the enzyme that digests lactose); Momentous adds a protease enzyme blend. Evidence that added enzymes meaningfully change results is limited. See our whey isolate vs concentrate comparison.

Sweeteners and flavors

Momentous chocolate is sweetened with stevia leaf extracts (steviol glycosides and rebaudioside A); Gold Standard Double Rich Chocolate uses sucralose and acesulfame potassium and lists both natural and artificial flavors. FDA considers these sweeteners safe at typical intakes. The choice usually comes down to taste and preference.

Other nutrients

Momentous chocolate lists 150 mg sodium, 260 mg potassium, 90 mg calcium and 1.8 mg iron per serving (cocoa contributes minerals); Gold Standard lists 105 mg sodium, 150 mg potassium and 130 mg calcium. Gold Standard lists 35 mg cholesterol vs 2 mg for Momentous, reflecting the concentrate in the blend.

Creatine

Both brands’ creatine labels in DSLD list a single ingredient, creatine monohydrate, 5 g per serving; ON’s is labeled micronized (finer powder that mixes more easily). Creatine monohydrate is the form with the strongest evidence. The ISSN position stand on creatine (Kreider et al., 2017) describes it as the most effective ergogenic supplement for high-intensity exercise capacity and lean mass, with a typical maintenance intake of 3 to 5 g per day and no evidence of harm in healthy people at recommended doses. Because the ingredient is identical, the meaningful differences are certification, mixability and packaging.

Third-Party Testing: What We Checked

Dietary supplements are not approved by FDA for safety or effectiveness before they are sold; manufacturers are responsible for making sure their products are safe and labeled accurately, and FDA acts mainly after problems arise. Independent certification programs fill part of that gap:

• USP Verified checks that a supplement contains the listed ingredients in the declared amounts, doesn’t contain harmful levels of specified contaminants, will break down and release into the body in a set time, and was made under good manufacturing practices.
• NSF/ANSI 173 certifies that contents match the label and screens for contaminants.
• NSF Certified for Sport adds screening for more than 280 substances banned in sport and is accepted by many professional leagues.
• Informed Sport / Informed Choice are banned-substance testing programs run by LGC.

On October 24, 2026, the NSF Certified for Sport directory listed dozens of Momentous products, including its creatine and protein products, and two Optimum Nutrition listings, both Gold Standard 100% Whey. The Momentous Essential Protein label in DSLD also shows NSF Certified Sport and Informed Sport marks; the Gold Standard label shows the Informed Choice mark. Certification is product-specific and can change, so athletes should check the exact product and flavor in the certifier’s directory before buying, and keep the lot number.

Third-party testing matters in sports nutrition: FDA has repeatedly warned about products marketed for bodybuilding that contained hidden steroids or other drugs. Certified products from established brands reduce that risk but do not eliminate it.

Who Might Prefer Which Label

• Drug-tested athletes: choose the specific product and flavor listed in NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Sport. More Momentous products were NSF-listed when we checked; Gold Standard 100% Whey also had listings.
• More protein per scoop: Gold Standard lists 24 g vs 20 g.
• Isolate only, or lactose-sensitive: Momentous is isolate-only; Gold Standard is mostly isolate but includes concentrate (and adds lactase).
• Avoiding sucralose or acesulfame K: Momentous uses stevia.
• Creatine: both are 5 g creatine monohydrate; choose based on certification and convenience.

On value: compare cost per gram of protein (or per 5 g serving of creatine), not per tub, because scoop sizes and protein per scoop differ. Protein powders and creatine are generally not HSA/FSA-eligible. Most people can meet protein needs from food; powders are a convenience.

How to Use Protein and Creatine

Protein timing

The ISSN nutrient timing position stand (Kerksick et al., 2017) notes that total daily protein intake matters most, with benefits from spreading protein across meals every 3 to 4 hours and including a protein dose in the window around training. A scoop after a workout or with a low-protein breakfast is a common, practical approach. Mix with water for fewer calories or milk for more protein and calories.

Creatine use

The ISSN creatine position stand describes two common approaches: a loading phase of about 0.3 g per kg of body weight per day (roughly 20 g split into four doses) for 5 to 7 days followed by 3 to 5 g daily, or simply 3 to 5 g daily from the start, which saturates muscle stores over about 3 to 4 weeks. Timing relative to exercise matters less than taking it consistently. Some people gain a little body weight early on from water stored in muscle. Drink adequate fluids, and talk to a clinician first if you have kidney disease.

When to Talk to Your Doctor or Pharmacist

Talk to a clinician before high-protein diets or creatine if you have kidney disease, and before supplements if you are pregnant, under 18 or take prescription medicines. Stop and seek care for signs of an allergic reaction. Athletes should confirm supplement rules with their governing body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• NIH DSLD: Momentous Essential Protein Chocolate label
• NIH DSLD: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Double Rich Chocolate label
• NIH DSLD: Momentous Creatine label
• NIH DSLD: Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Powder label
• NSF Certified for Sport: certified products directory (checked October 24, 2026)
• Informed Sport: certified products search
• FDA: Information for consumers on using dietary supplements
• PubMed: Jäger et al., ISSN position stand: protein and exercise (2017)
• PubMed: Kreider et al., ISSN position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation (2017)
• PubMed: Kerksick et al., ISSN position stand: nutrient timing (2017)
• FDA: Health fraud scams (including tainted supplements)

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