When you choose a protein powder, most users check out the protein grams, sugar, and maybe total carbs. But when was the last time you checked out the sodium content?
If you haven’t, it’s time you did. You may be surprised to find that many protein powders have 200-400mg of sodium per serving. That’s way too high.
If you want the best results possible, you want the cleanest protein possible. This guide will reveal the best low sodium protein powder on the market. Let’s get going!
In a Hurry? Here is our top pick:
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Quick Answer – The Best Low Sodium Protein Powder
- Sprout Living Organic Pumpkin Protein Powder – Best Overall
- Sprout Living Sunflower Protein Powder – Best Low Sodium Plant Protein
- Isopure Infusions Whey Protein – Best Fruit Flavored Low Sodium Protein Powder
- NutraBio Grass Fed Whey Isolate – Best Natural Low Sodium Protein Powder
- Muscle Feast Hydrolyzed Whey Protein – Best Low Sodium Whey Protein
- Muscle Feast Premium Protein – Best Low Sodium Protein Blend
- ProMix Nutrition Grass-Fed Whey Protein – Best Low Sodium Whey Concentrate
- Naked Nutrition Naked Casein – Best Low Sodium Casein Protein Powder
- Mutant Pro – Best For Bodybuilders
Reviews – The Best Low Sodium Protein Powders
Sprout Living Organic Pumpkin Protein Powder – Best Overall
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Here’s our pick for best overall. This vegan protein powder contains 2mg sodium and 15g protein per serving.
Sprout Living Organic Pumpkin Protein Powder contains only one ingredient. There’s cold-pressed pumpkin seed protein powder and that’s all. It’s Keto-friendly,Paleo-friendly, and certified organic.
Pumpkin Protein Powder is a good source of healthy fats as well as a good protein source. It’s also 3rd party tested for quality, purity, and potency.
PROS
- Only 2mg Sodium Per Serving
- 15g Pumpkin Protein
- There’s Only One Ingredient
CONS
- Some Users Don’t Like The Taste
Sprout Living Sunflower Protein Powder – Best Low Sodium Plant Protein
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Here’s a plant-based protein with only 2mg sodium per serving. This is a vegan protein that’s Keto-friendly and Paleo-friendly.
Sprout Living Sunflower Protein provides 15g protein per serving. The only ingredient is sunflower seed protein powder. This product is a good source of healthy fats and it’s naturally low carb and low sugar.
Sunflower Protein Powder is 3rd party tested for quality and purity.
PROS
- Clean Formula – Only One Ingredient
- 2g Sodium Per Serving
- 15g Sunflower Protein Per Serving
CONS
- Some Users Did Not Receive A Scoop With Their Powder
Isopure Infusions Whey Protein – Best Fruit Flavored Low Sodium Protein Powder
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Isopure Infusions was one of the first clear, fruity flavored protein powders on the market. First, Isopure introduced clear protein RTDs.
Then Isopure introduced Infusions Whey Protein. Infusions contains 15mg sodium and provides 20g whey isolate per serving. This low sodium protein contains only five ingredients, and it’s all-natural. It’s a low-calorie, low-sugar, and low total carb protein drink.
You can mix Isopure Infusions in cold water, with or without ice. As you shake it, Infusions gradually turns into a clear low sodium protein shake.
PROS
- Only 15mg Sodium Per Serving
- 20g Whey Isolate Per Serving
- Once Shaken It Turns Into A Clear Fruit-Flavored Protein Drink
CONS
- Some Users Feel There’s Not Enough Servings For The Cost
NutraBio Grass Fed Whey Isolate – Best Natural Low Sodium Protein Powder
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NutraBio Grass Fed Whey Isolate is our pick for the best natural low sodium protein. One serving contains 65mg sodium and 25g protein.
This is a 100% natural protein powder. The vanilla flavor only contains 4 ingredients, and it’s sweetened with monk fruit and stevia.
NutraBio Grass Fed Whey Isolate is low carb, low fat, and low calorie.
Like all NutraBio products, there is a breakdown of all ingredients by grams. This includes natural sweeteners and flavoring. NutraBio is well-known for its quality and label transparency. You can even access an independent website to verify lab results.
PROS
- 65mg Sodium Per Serving
- Extreme Label Transparency
- 100% Natural Formula
CONS
- The Texture Is Too Watery For Some Users
Muscle Feast Hydrolyzed Whey Protein – Best Low Sodium Whey Protein
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This is our best low sodium whey protein with only 48mg sodium per serving. Muscle Feast Hydrolyzed Whey Protein also provides 23g protein per serving.
Hydrolyzed whey is the fastest absorbing form of whey on the market. That’s because the protein is broken down into very small particles. This means it can digest much faster than other types of whey protein.
The unflavored version only contains one ingredient. There’s nothing artificial in Muscle Feast Hydrolyzed Whey.
PROS
- Very Low Sodium
- Features Fast Digesting Hydrolyzed Whey
- The Unflavored Contains Only One Ingredient
CONS
- Some Users Feel The Chocolate Tastes Chalky
Muscle Feast Premium Protein – Best Low Sodium Protein Blend
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Here’s our best low sodium unflavored protein blend. It’s a mix of whey isolate, hydrolyzed whey, and micellar casein. This protein blend provides slow and fast digesting protein.
Muscle Feast Premium Protein contains 37mg sodium and 21g protein per serving.
The only other ingredient in this product is sunflower lecithin. Natural flavoring and stevia is added if users choose a flavored version. The flavored version also contains 35 mg sodium, less than the unflavored version.
The protein sources in this powder are grass-fed and hormone-free.
PROS
- 21g Blend Of Fast & Slow Digesting Proteins
- Only 37mg Sodium For Unflavored, 35mg Sodium For Flavored Versions
- Contains No Artificial Ingredients
CONS
- Some Users Don’t Like The Taste & Texture
ProMix Nutrition Grass-Fed Whey Protein – Best Low Sodium Whey Concentrate
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ProMix Nutrition Grass-Fed Whey Protein contains 50mg sodium per serving. This powder is unflavored and contains two ingredients, 100% whey concentrate, and sunflower lecithin. This is our best low sodium whey concentrate. It’s a high-quality whey protein providing 25g protein per serving.
ProMix features comprehensive testing standards on their protein quality. Grass-Fed Whey Protein is all-natural, soy-free, corn-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO.
This protein is designed to be used as a shake or smoothie. It can also be used for homemade protein bars. Finally, you can also mix it with your yogurt or oatmeal.
PROS
- High-Quality Whey Protein
- 50mg Sodium Per Serving
- Can Be Used In Shakes, Smoothies, Or Use It To Bake Protein Bars
CONS
- Some Users Don’t Like The Smell Or Taste
Naked Nutrition Naked Casein – Best Low Sodium Casein Protein Powder
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Our pick for best low sodium casein has different amounts of sodium based on the flavor. Many unflavored versions of a protein have more sodium than their flavored counterparts. In other cases, it’s the other way around.
Naked Nutrition Naked Casein unflavored has 20mg sodium per serving. The flavored options contain 25mg or 30 mg, depending on flavor. Naked Casein features 26g or 27g, depending on flavor, of slow-digesting casein per serving.
Naked Casein is also low carb and low sugar.
PROS
- 26-27g Slow Digesting Casein Per Serving, Depending On Flavor
- 20mg-30mg Sodium Depending On Flavor
- No Artificial Ingredients
CONS
- May Have A Thick, Grainy Texture
Mutant Pro – Best For Bodybuilders
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Here’s our pick for the best low sodium protein for bodybuilders. Mutant Pro is a triple whey protein with only 60mg sodium. There’s 24g of protein from whey concentrate, hydrolyzed whey, and whey isolate.
Mutant Pro is low carb low sugar and low fat. Also, important for bodybuilders is 5.5g BCAAs and 11.7 total grams EAAs.
Finally, Mutant Pro contains digestive enzymes for complete digestion.
PROS
- 24g Triple Whey Protein Blend Per Serving
- Only 60mg Sodium
- Includes Digestive Enzymes
CONS
- Contains Sucralose
Buying Guide – How To Choose The Best Low Sodium Protein Powders?
What Is Sodium
Sodium is an essential mineral. The body requires sodium to function normally. It’s one of the electrolyte minerals the body requires for fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscular contraction. Table salt, or sodium chloride, is the most common form of sodium. The body needs sodium. Too much can lead to bloating, cardiovascular problems, kidney damage, and hypertension.
How Much Sodium Should Be In Your Protein Powder
There’s no question that many people consume way too much sodium. One look at the labels of most processed foods and it’s easy to see why. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 2,300 mg of sodium per day for adults. If you have high blood pressure, you should be ingesting even less: 1500mg per day. (1)
In terms of a packaged food, 140mg sodium per serving is considered low. Now think about how many protein powders contains between 200-400mg per serving. Every protein powder in this guide contains 65mg or less of sodium. Some powders are as low as 2mg.
What You Should Look For In A Low Sodium Protein Powder
A low sodium protein is one way you can begin to reduce your daily intake. Here are some things to look for in a low sodium protein powder:
- It Should Have 65mg Or Less Of Sodium – The lower the better, but you should go no higher than 65mg sodium per protein shake.
- It Should Consist Of High-Quality Ingredients – Your protein powder should have high-quality protein sources. It should also have a clean formula, meaning no artificial ingredients. In this guide, there are many choices with no more than 1-2 ingredients.
- Flavoring – As noted above, the use of flavors doesn’t always increase the sodium content. You will find some flavored powders with less sodium than the unflavored versions. Muscle Feast Premium Protein is a good example of this. Naked Nutrition Naked Casein is an example of an unflavored version having less sodium than the flavored options.
- Protein Quality – Always look for high-quality sources. This is true no matter what your reason is for buying a protein powder.
Why Protein Is Important
The body requires three macronutrients to maintain daily body functions. These are protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Every food you eat is a combination of each of these.
Protein is the most important macronutrient. It provides 4 calories per gram. It’s important because the dry weight of your body is mainly protein.
Amino acids are one of the components of protein. There are 20 common amino acids the body uses. These aminos can be organized into thousands of different sequences. All of these sequences control thousands of daily functions required by the human body.
Of these 20 aminos, 11 are made in the body. The remaining 9 must be provided by your diet and supplements. Protein must be ingested frequently. Your body needs protein daily. This means that protein must be consistently ingested during the day.
Your protein intake should consist of whole foods and quality low sodium protein powder. Protein is not an optional compound meant only for those that exercise or eat healthy. It’s critical for everyone, whether or not you eat right or exercise. (2, 3)
What Are The Benefits Of Protein
Here’s some of the benefits protein provides:
- Supports Healthy Hair, Skin & Nails
- Promotes Healthy Immune Function
- Maintains Strong Bones & Teeth
- Stimulates Protein Synthesis Which Triggers Muscle Growth
- Enhances Recovery After A Workout
- Helps Maintain An Anabolic Environment So Muscle Growth Can Occur
- Supports Fat Loss
- Prevents Catabolism – This Prevents Muscle Breakdown
What Are The Different Types Of Protein
There are many different sources of protein that can be used for low sodium protein powder. Most supplement companies make whey, casein, and plant-based protein powders. Some companies make a whey and casein protein blend. Other products, such as Mutant Whey, consist of concentrate, hydrolyzed, and isolate.
Following are the most common types of protein used in low sodium powders:
Whey Concentrate – This is a very common type of whey protein. Whey concentrate is 80% protein with 20% consisting of fat and carbs. ProMix Nutrition Grass-Fed Whey Protein is a good example of high-quality whey concentrate.
Whey Isolate – This is the highest quality whey. It’s usually considered the best quality protein on the market. It will be low calorie with 90% protein content.
Hydrolyzed Whey – This is whey isolate broken down into smaller particles for superior absorption. All whey proteins digest fast. Yet, this is the fastest digesting protein you can buy. Our guide features two products with hydrolyzed whey. One is Muscle Feast Hydrolyzed Whey Protein. The other is Mutant Pro. This is a specialized blend of three types of whey: concentrate, isolate and hydrolyzed.
Micellar Casein – This is a milk protein that’s mainly known as slow-digesting protein. This can be used before bed or a long day at work. Micellar Casein is the highest quality casein protein. This is the protein used in our pick for best casein, Naked Nutrition Naked Casein.
Vegan Or Plant-Based – This can be a single vegan or plant source, or a blend of plant-based proteins. Common plant sources include brown rice or pea. There are also vegan sources such as sunflower and pumpkin. This guide features two Sprout Living Proteins using these two sources.
How To Use In A Low Sodium Protein Powder
Before using, make sure to read all the label information. You can mix low sodium protein powder with virtually any cold beverage. You can add it to your coffee as a high-protein coffee creamer. A low sodium powder can be mixed with oatmeal or yogurt. Some products, such as ProMix Nutrition Grass-Fed Whey Protein, are suggested for making homemade protein bars.
You can use a low sodium protein powder up to 3 times a day. This makes it easier to meet your protein requirements for the day. On training days, it’s important to consume one serving post-workout. This should be within 30 minutes after your training session is over.
Finally, it’s important to drink a protein shake first thing in the morning. This is because you have been sleeping for as long as 7-10 hours. You will wake up in a catabolic state. For that reason, you should drink a protein shake. This will help you get back to an anabolic state.
Conclusion
There’s not really a wide range of choices when it comes to low sodium protein powders. Still, this guide covers the best choices available.
If you want the best overall, you’ll want Sprout Living Organic Pumpkin Protein Powder. This powder only has 2mg of sodium per serving with 15g pumpkin protein. This powder only contains one ingredient. It’s also 3rd party tested.
Are you a bodybuilder looking for the best low sodium protein for your needs? Mutant Pro is the choice for you. Pro features a triple whey protein blend for variable digestion speeds. How’s the sodium content? Only 60mg per serving.
Do you want an all-natural whey? The right choice for you is NutraBio Grass Fed Whey Isolate. This 100% natural protein features the full label disclosure NutraBio is known for. It’s 25g whey isolate and 65mg sodium per serving.
There’s a good range of low sodium protein options. You can find almost any protein source in our guide with low sodium content. All you have to do is match up the protein with your goals. Use our guide and get started!
References:
- What is sodium and how much can I have IS TOO MUCH? (gbhealthwatch.com)
- https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/howgeneswork/protein
- Tarnopolsky, M. A., MacDougall, J. D., & Atkinson, S. A. (1988, January). Influence of protein intake and training status on nitrogen balance and lean body mass. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3356636