Author: Oleksandr Maksymenko (5 years as FPA-Certified Nutritionist, MS in Sports Dietetics)
In this article, we will have a look at 7 options of the best low sodium protein powder and discuss their advantages and intricacies. I have prepared a full guide on how to choose the top pick and invest your money wisely.
If you are a real health nut or just stay tuned for the latest food trends, you may have already heard a word about protein with low sodium. After all, it does have some benefits. So jump into all the details and make your choice!
In a hurry?
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the Naked Whey 100% Grass Fed Unflavored Whey Protein.
Starting our list of the best low sodium protein powders is Naked Whey 100% Grass Fed Unflavored Whey Protein. Since Naked don’t use any extra additives, you may find some clumps in your drink if you fail to shake it actively enough.
Certified nutritionists and professional athletes on our team have rigorously tested 12 low sodium protein powders, selecting only 7 that meet our standards for this list. These protein powders were evaluated based on 6 crucial criteria, with our team investing 4 weeks in hands-on testing.
In addition to the comprehensive testing, we analyzed hundreds of online user reviews. This list is regularly updated, so drop a comment to share your experiences!
Top 7 Best Low Sodium Protein Powders Reviewed
I have picked the best products on the market and will walk you through all of them step by step. The main qualities I have compared are package, taste, nutrient breakdown, mixability, and price-quality ratio. You can find a table with all the results below and then go right to more details about each low sodium protein drink.
1. Naked Whey 100% Grass Fed Unflavored Whey Protein - Top Pick
- Diet type (best for): cutting/bulking/maintenance
- Suitable for vegans: No
- Protein source: Whey protein concentrate
- Serving size: 30g
- Price per serving: ~1.25$
- Protein Percentage Of Calories: 83%
- Calories: 120
- Proteins: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fats: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Company founded: 2014
- Recommended by athletes: Halim Physique, Kaella Madix
Naked Whey protein ends up in the first place on our list because of its high-quality ingredients and good balance in the nutrient breakdown.
My first impression of this option was great. The package is convenient for storing, opens well, and looks very fancy. I really like the idea of making a transparent tub. It is definitely a good combination with the word ‘naked’ in the name suggesting that the main priority of the brand is pure ingredients.
photo by samantha_tosco
If you have a look at the ingredient list, you won’t find anything extra there. I prefer the unflavored option as it allows more versatility and gives me only what I need – protein. But you can choose some flavors as well. The brand has a few basic options, and all of them contain only natural sweeteners so will satisfy even the pickiest health nut.
As for mixability, you may need to sweat a little bit. Since Naked don’t use any extra additives, you may find some clumps in your drink if you fail to shake it actively enough. It doesn’t bother me much but may be a bit inconvenient for some athletes.
The main disadvantage of our winner is its price. Don’t expect to buy first-class protein for a song. You may get a bit upset while comparing it with other popular options on the market but you pay for first-class quality in this case!
Positives:
No extra additives
Milk of grass-fed cows
Good nutritional breakdown
Tastes well
Convenient transparent package
Could be better:
A little bit more expensive than other options
2. ProMix Whey Protein Powder - Runner Up
- Diet type (best for): bulking/maintenance
- Suitable for vegans: No
- Protein source: Whey protein concentrate
- Serving size: 40g
- Price per serving: ~1.24$
- Protein Percentage Of Calories: 63%
- Calories: 160
- Proteins: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fats: 3.5g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Year founded: 2011
- Recommended by athletes: Rashaad Slowley, Andy Chen
ProMix is quite well-known among athletes for being an affordable high-quality protein. It wins our top pick in terms of price, though falls behind in terms of macronutrient breakdown.
The main problem is a relatively high content of carbs and sugar. It may not be a problem for those on bulking or maintenance but may cause some difficulties for athletes who count every gram of carbs in their diet.
Still, ProMix is great in terms of its quality. Just like in the previous product, the brand uses only natural ingredients. If you are searching for protein with no extra additives but also like good deals, that may be a great match.
As for the taste, it gets 9.5. The problem is a bit of grittiness – I prefer smooth drinks. The reason is the cane sugar used by the manufacturer. It gives that strange texture but it goes away if you add some fruits or combine the powder with yogurt or oatmeal. And compared to our winner, it mixes well because of lecithin.
What I also like is the taste. It has several options to choose from but my favorite is peanut butter. It is not too sweet for me and feels very natural. And if ProMix has won your heart but you still want less sugar, you can pick a flavorless option and enjoy it, mixing it with your favorite fruits.
Positives:
Natural ingredients
- Reasonable price
- Light taste, not too sweet
- Made of grass-fed cows’ milk
- Minimally filtered
Could be better:
Has some gritty taste
Relatively high in carbs and sugars
- Diet type (best for): cutting/bulking/maintenance
- Suitable for vegans: No
- Protein source: Whey protein isolate
- Serving size: 24g
- Price per serving: ~1$
- Protein Percentage Of Calories: 93%
- Calories: 88
- Proteins: 20.5g
- Carbohydrates: 0.2g
- Fats: 0.2g
- Sugar: 0.1g
- Sodium: 41mg
- Year founded: 2009
- Recommended by athletes: Richie Gunckel, Morgan Wright
Muscle Feast protein got very close to the top. It is an isolate with a great nutrient breakdown and a very affordable price.
If you need the highest protein content in relation to the total calorie content, this option is very likely to satisfy you. The nutrient breakdown is great for those on cutting – almost pure protein, no excessive additives, and low sodium as well. It will also be a sight for sore eyes if you want to make a good deal.
photo by musclefeast
As for drawbacks, it may not mix very well. If you use a blender, it goes with no problem but might create clumps if you use a shaker.
Another point that may disappoint some athletes is the short range of flavors. You can only choose between chocolate, vanilla, and tasteless options. Honestly, it is not a problem for me because the price and ingredients compensate for this tiny fault, but for some athletes, it may be a drawback.
Positives:
High protein content
- Very affordable price
- Great nutrient breakdown
- Versatile and suits various goals well
Could be better:
May not mix well
Few tastes available
- Diet type (best for): cutting/bulking/maintenance
- Suitable for vegans: Yes
- Protein source: Hemp seed
- Serving size: 30g
- Price per serving: ~0.75$
- Protein Percentage Of Calories: 55%
- Calories: 110
- Proteins: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fats: 3g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Year founded: 2002
- Recommended by athletes: Liana Werner-Gray
Nutiva ends up as the best no sodium protein powder on my list. It is an organic plant-based supplement, which is, on top of that, rather affordable among other vegan products.
The most interesting point about this protein is the source of it – hemp. It is quite unpopular on the market but has some valuable benefits. In our case, Nutiva contains no sodium at all so may turn out to be a perfect match for athletes with some health issues forcing them to decrease their salt intake.
On the other hand, people who are searching for the highest protein content better skip this option. The serving size is 30 grams but only 15 of them are protein. That is, unfortunately, the biggest drawback of most vegan supplements. On the other hand, if you want to increase your protein intake, even 15 grams of it make sense.
Another benefit of Nuvita is the absence of lactose. Athletes with some stomach issues may not tolerate whey proteins well but plant-based options can become a great solution.
Positives:
Suitable for vegans
- No sodium
- No lactose
- Pure ingredients
- Good price
Could be better:
Low in protein
Gritty aftertaste
- Diet type (best for): cutting/bulking/maintenance
- Suitable for vegans: No
- Protein source: Whey protein isolate
- Serving size: 25g
- Price per serving: ~1.9$
- Protein Percentage Of Calories: 89%
- Calories: 90
- Proteins: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fats: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Year founded: 1998
- Recommended by athletes: Simran Kaur Purewal, Alan Bersten
Isopure Infusions offer a very interesting low sodium whey protein powder but want more money for such an innovation as well.
It does not feel like usual protein drinks because of its taste and texture. First, if you are a fruit fan, you may fall in love with this option right away. Mango, pineapple, lime, orange and a lot more unusual flavors are waiting for you!
photo by barelybariatric
The texture surprised me as well. It is meant to be mixed with water, so I did as recommended. First, it looks rather transparent and does not resemble traditional protein shakes. It is also lighter in texture and tastes unusual – a little bit sour and slightly sweet.
Basically, I like Isopure Infusions, and I guess, people who don’t enjoy traditional creamy protein powders may really like its lightness. However, I don’t see much sense in overpaying in my case. The price is not that affordable, so if you want to make the most reasonable purchase, you better have a look at something else on my list.
Positives:
Interesting tastes
- High protein content
- Very low sodium
- Light texture
Could be better:
High price
May not mix well
- Diet type (best for): cutting/bulking/maintenance
- Suitable for vegans: No
- Protein source: Whey protein isolate
- Serving size: 28g
- Price per serving: ~1$
- Protein Percentage Of Calories: 91%
- Calories: 110g
- Proteins: 25g
- Carbohydrates: <1g
- Fats: 0.5g
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Year Founded: 1968
- Recommended by athletes: Tori Franklin, Marcus Holman
NOW Sport is another budget isolate which may become one of your favs if you are not too picky.
The nutrient breakdown is impressive for such a pleasant price, and that is why a lot of athletes like this product. It is an isolate so you get a high protein boost with the lowest carbs and fats. The content of sodium is also great – only 45 mg.
The biggest problem with this protein is its taste. I chose the flavorless option so I didn’t expect anything mindblowing. Yet, it put me off with some weird aftertaste. It may not bother you if you are not too picky and drink it quickly, but it may be hard in case you are used to all those tasty drinks.
All in all, NOW whey protein is a great basic option for those who want to get a great nutritional value and not waste a bunch of money on it.
Positives:
Great price
- High protein percentage
- Low carbs
- No additives
Could be better:
Has a weird aftertaste
- Diet type (best for): cutting/bulking/maintenance
- Suitable for vegans: No
- Protein source: Whey protein concentrate
- Serving size: 25g
- Price per serving: ~0.9$
- Protein Percentage Of Calories: 86%
- Calories: 97.5
- Proteins: 21g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fats: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Year founded: 2010
- Recommended by athletes: Katie Uhran
Raw Organic Whey produces protein of grass-fed cows’ milk from a small farm. It is not a well-known brand but still, it offers a decent product to be on my list.
First, the price is very reasonable for organic protein powder. The nutrient breakdown is great as well with 21 grams of protein out of 25. If you want to go low on carbs, it may be a good match. The sodium content is only 40 grams, which is just the middle ground.
As for the drawbacks, the main problem that athletes mention is various package flaws. I was lucky to get everything in order but some people point out zip flaws and sometimes even plastic threads inside. Not the best experience, I agree. So be careful if you decide to take up the risk.
Overall, Raw Organic Whey is a good option if you appreciate organic supplements and are looking for a budget isolate.
Positives:
Organic ingredients
- Good price
- Great nutrient breakdown
Could be better:
Has some aftertaste
Some athletes find package flaws
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How Have I Chosen the Best Low Sodium Protein Powder?
Honestly, that was a long and hard way with precise evaluation and counting everything up. Below, you can find a brief explanation of all qualities that determined the position of each product on my list.
1. Macronutrient Breakdown
If a product has a good balance of proteins, carbs, and fats, it gets 10 scores. Almost all options on my list are fairly good in these terms – they are high in protein and contain few carbs and fats. The only product that stands out by its low protein percentage is Nutiva low sodium vegan protein powder. Yet, the reason is that it is plant-based.
2. Taste
It is one of the most important qualities for most people. Having a chalky feeling or trying to hide a chemical taste in a shake doesn’t give you the best impression. Of course, you don’t know till you try it but you can find my opinion in the line with scores for this quality.
3. Nutrition Label Transparency
If a brand provides all the tiniest details about the ingredients, macronutrient breakdown, vitamins, and minerals, it is a big benefit for consumers. It means there is nothing hidden in your protein drink. Such manufacturers are frank with athletes, making them aware of what they pour into their bodies, so they get 10 points.
4. Fat Content Transparency
Some athletes may be also concerned about the fat content in their protein powders. If a brand lacks some details about the fat types and their levels, it gets 9.5 points.
5. Mixability
Everything is simple here. If a protein mixes well, it gets 10 points, if there are some clumps – 9.5.
6. Value for Money
To sum up, I gave scores for the price-quality ratio. If the price is affordable and the quality has no significant flaws, the product gets 10 points right away. In case a protein powder is rather pricey or has some game-changing disadvantages, you see a lower score.
What Is Sodium and Why Is It In My Protein?
Sodium is a vital mineral for our body. Experts recommend taking in less than 2.3 g of sodium daily. It supports the proper fluid balance in our body and also helps muscles and nerves to work well. Most people often use the shorter and easier term ‘salt’ instead of sodium as it basically consists of this mineral.
Despite the essential function of sodium for our body, excessive intake of it is harmful to many organs. It mainly hinders the cardiovascular system, increases blood pressure, may cause bloating and swelling.
In the modern world, it is difficult to stay within your norm. Most foods, especially processed, are really high in sodium, so you can go beyond the recommended intake even with one unhealthy meal.
As for protein powder, it often contains more than 100 mg of sodium per serving. There are different reasons for it. For example, dairy products contain sodium in its natural form, some manufacturers may use it to provide a better taste, etc. You might also notice that some vegan options, especially pea ones, are often significantly higher in sodium.
What Protein Powder Is Considered Low Sodium?
On the market, there are different options for protein powder with low sodium. Most of them contain around 30-40 mg of this mineral but it can vary from 10 to 60 mg per serving. Yet, you may also find sodium free protein powder which can be a perfect match for those who have some medical conditions and try to stay away from salt whenever they can.
2 Benefits of Low Sodium Protein Powder
Excessive sodium intake mainly hinders your cardiovascular system, can be harmful to kidneys, or just make you look a bit plumper than you really are.
✅ Blood Pressure
That is, perhaps, the most serious consequence of consuming too much sodium. It may increase your blood pressure and lead to various heart issues as well as strokes in the long run. Therefore, a lot of athletes prefer to stay low on salt wherever they can and pick a low-sodium protein.
Tips From the Champ
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
✅ Swelling
As sodium controls the fluid balance in our body, the level of swelling depends on it as well. If you notice that your face looks plump, it may be a sign of the increased level of salt.
How to Find the Best Low Sodium Protein Powder?
1. Taste
You can find various flavored proteins on the market. Whether you have a sweet tooth, love fruits, or prefer to leave some space for your creativity, there is something for everyone. You can choose among dozens of tastes or pick a flavorless option if you want to add new shades every day. Just remember that flavored products are usually higher in carbs and fats, so if you want the purest protein, you better go for a tasteless one.
2. Macronutrient Breakdown
Depending on your personal goals and needs, you may benefit from different macronutrient breakdowns. For example, if you are cutting, consider buying protein with the highest protein percentage and lowest carbs and fats. But if you aim to gain some weight, carbs may help you fulfill your daily nutrient needs well.
3. Source of Protein
If you are a vegan, obviously, go for plant-based products. Also, if you have some gastrointestinal issues, you may not tolerate lactose, which is relatively high in whey concentrates.
If you have no problems with milk and can consume animal sources of nutrients, you may find whey proteins a better choice. They are usually more pleasant for your wallet as well.
4. Sodium
There are protein powders that contain no sodium at all or just a smaller amount of it, which varies from around 10 to 60 mg. Take into account your personal needs and preferences. If you are on a low-sodium diet, it may make sense to decrease your intake as much as you can and buy a product with 0 mg of sodium. But if you just want to keep your eye on it, you can try out any protein shakes with low sodium.
FAQ
Are all protein powders high in sodium?
No, there are protein powders that contain less sodium or none at all. It is always stated in nutrition facts.
Is pea protein powder high in sodium?
Pea protein usually contains more than 100 mg of sodium, which is relatively a lot.
How much sodium should be in a protein powder?
There is no exact requirement for the level of sodium in protein. Yet, if you are on a low-sodium diet or just watch your intake, consider using products that contain around 30-40 mg of it or no sodium at all.
Conclusion
To sum up, Naked low sodium protein powder gets to the very top of my list. Though it is a little bit more expensive than many options, the quality speaks for itself. If you like first-class supplements, go for it or check the runner-up as well. ProMix is very close to the leader, too! In case you strive to find the best price, check out other products too – you may be surprised by some deals. And if you are searching for a vegan option, have a look at Nutiva hemp protein.
What do you find the most important in your future protein? Share your expectations below!
Also Read:
References:
- About Sodium // Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/salt/food.htm
- Sodium // Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/sodium.htm
- All Photos made by Torokhtiy Weightlifting.
Why Trust Us?
Experience: 7 years
Specializing in: Weight management, Fitness / Sports nutrition
Oleksandr is a professional fitness nutritionist, certified by FPA (Fitness Professional Association). Oleksandr adheres to the principles of evidence-based dietetics and instills in his clients a healthy relationship with food - without strict prohibitions on favorite foods and regular disruptions. His main task – not only get a result for you, but also maintain it for many years, enjoying tasty and delicious food.
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This article was written by our qualified author and proofread by an expert with proven experience. When writing the article we've used our expertise and data from authoritative, scientific, and evidence-based sources. The list of references is provided at the end of the article.
Our team of authors and experts includes professional athletes (Olympians, winners of European and World titles), PhDs in Sports Science, certified coaches, sports nutritionists, CSCSs, physiotherapists, and others. Read more about the team here, and more about how we test here.
Torokhtiy Team
Hey @Vithal!
If you’re looking for a whey protein with minimal salt content to support weight gain, I recommend trying Naked Whey 100% Grass Fed Unflavored Whey Protein. It’s a great option because it doesn’t contain any added flavors or artificial ingredients. This protein powder is made from high-quality, grass-fed sources and is known for its purity. It can provide you with the necessary protein to support your weight gain goals while minimizing your salt intake.
Vithal
Hi. I am looking for whey protein with minimum salt content and to gain weight. Any suggestions please?