Low-Sodium Protein Guide

18 items classified under standard Low-Sodium guidelines.

This guide covers all 18 protein classified under Low-Sodium guidelines. Low-Sodium evaluates foods primarily by sodium content per serving, which determines how each item in this category is classified.

Good news for Low-Sodium followers: almost all protein fit the diet. These foods are naturally low in sodium. The nutrition details below help you compare within the category to find the best options for your specific needs.

Quick Reference

Food Status Sodium (per 100g)
Black Beans Allowed 217mg
Chickpea Flour Allowed 64mg
Collagen Peptides Allowed 300mg
Edamame Allowed 6mg
Eggs Allowed
Gelatin Allowed 466mg
Greek Yogurt Allowed 33mg
Kidney Beans Allowed 218mg
Lentil Pasta Allowed 383mg
Pea Protein Allowed 253mg
Protein Powder Allowed 733mg
Soy Protein Allowed 1000mg
Tempeh Allowed 9mg
Tofu Allowed 35mg
Veggie Burger Allowed 534mg
Whey Protein Allowed 968mg
Protein Bars Limited 1000mg
Protein Shakes Limited 111mg

Classification Breakdown

16 Allowed — These protein are naturally low in sodium. 2 Limited — These items have sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation.

About 70–75% of dietary sodium comes from packaged and restaurant food, not the salt shaker.

Allowed Protein (16)

Black Beans

Allowed

Black Beans is classified as Allowed on Low-Sodium, with 217mg sodium per 100g. This means it is naturally low in sodium. It also contains 8.2g protein and 7g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Protein Shakes and Kidney Beans for sodium, ranking 7 of 17.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodium
Dry341kcal21.6g1.4g62.4g5mg
Cooked (boiled)132kcal8.9g0.5g23.7g237mg
Canned91kcal4.8g1.3g15.4g970mg

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Chickpea Flour

Allowed

At 64mg sodium per 100g, Chickpea Flour falls into the Allowed category under Low-Sodium guidelines. It is naturally low in sodium. Beyond the primary classification, chickpea flour also provides 22.4g protein and 6.7g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Tofu and Protein Shakes for sodium, ranking 5 of 17.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

387kcalCalories
22.4gProtein
6.7gFat
57.8gCarbs
64mgSodium

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Collagen Peptides

Allowed

With 300mg sodium per 100g, Collagen Peptides earns a Allowed classification on Low-Sodium. It is naturally low in sodium. Beyond the primary classification, collagen peptides also provides 90g protein per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Pea Protein and Lentil Pasta for sodium, ranking 10 of 17.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

360kcalCalories
90gProtein
0gFat
0gCarbs
300mgSodium

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Edamame

Allowed

At 6mg sodium per 100g, Edamame falls into the Allowed category under Low-Sodium guidelines. The classification reflects that it is naturally low in sodium. Nutritionally, it also delivers 11.9g protein and 5.2g fat per serving. Among the 17 items in this category, edamame sits at the low end for sodium — next closest is Tempeh at 9mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

121kcalCalories
11.9gProtein
5.2gFat
8.9gCarbs
6mgSodium

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Eggs

Allowed

Eggs is classified as Allowed on Low-Sodium. This classification reflects that it is naturally low in sodium.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodium
Whole Egg (raw)143kcal12.6g9.5g0.7g142mg
Egg White (raw)52kcal10.9g0.2g0.7g166mg
Egg Yolk (raw)322kcal15.9g26.5g3.6g48mg

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Gelatin

Allowed

At 466mg sodium per 100g, Gelatin falls into the Allowed category under Low-Sodium guidelines. It is naturally low in sodium. Beyond the primary classification, gelatin also provides 7.8g protein per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Lentil Pasta and Veggie Burger for sodium, ranking 12 of 17.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

381kcalCalories
7.8gProtein
0gFat
90.5gCarbs
466mgSodium

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Greek Yogurt

Allowed

At 33mg sodium per 100g, Greek Yogurt falls into the Allowed category under Low-Sodium guidelines. It is naturally low in sodium. Beyond the primary classification, greek yogurt also provides 8.2g protein per 100g. Among the 17 items in this category, greek yogurt sits at the low end for sodium — next closest is Tofu at 35mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodium
Plain (whole milk)97kcal9g5g4g47mg
Plain (nonfat)61kcal10.3g0.4g3.6g36mg

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Kidney Beans

Allowed

With 218mg sodium per 100g, Kidney Beans earns a Allowed classification on Low-Sodium. This means it is naturally low in sodium. It also contains 8.1g protein and 7g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Black Beans and Pea Protein for sodium, ranking 8 of 17.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodium
Dry337kcal22.5g1.1g61.3g12mg
Cooked (boiled)127kcal8.7g0.5g22.8g238mg

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Lentil Pasta

Allowed

Lentil Pasta is classified as Allowed on Low-Sodium, with 383mg sodium per 100g. This means it is naturally low in sodium. It also contains 5.7g fat and 3.4g fiber, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Collagen Peptides and Gelatin for sodium, ranking 11 of 17.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

111kcalCalories
3.7gProtein
5.7gFat
12.3gCarbs
383mgSodium

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Pea Protein

Allowed

At 253mg sodium per 100g, Pea Protein falls into the Allowed category under Low-Sodium guidelines. It is naturally low in sodium. Beyond the primary classification, pea protein also provides 14g fat and 2.7g fiber per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Kidney Beans and Collagen Peptides for sodium, ranking 9 of 17.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

180kcalCalories
3gProtein
14gFat
10.6gCarbs
253mgSodium

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Protein Powder

Allowed

Protein Powder is classified as Allowed on Low-Sodium, with 733mg sodium per 100g. The classification reflects that it is naturally low in sodium. Nutritionally, it also delivers 55.6g protein and 5.6g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Veggie Burger at 534mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

388kcalCalories
55.6gProtein
5.6gFat
28.9gCarbs
733mgSodium

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Soy Protein

Allowed

Soy Protein is classified as Allowed on Low-Sodium, with 1000mg sodium per 100g. This means it is naturally low in sodium. It also contains 88.3g protein, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Whey Protein at 968mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

335kcalCalories
88.3gProtein
3.4gFat
0gCarbs
1000mgSodium

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Tempeh

Allowed

At 9mg sodium per 100g, Tempeh falls into the Allowed category under Low-Sodium guidelines. It is naturally low in sodium. Beyond the primary classification, tempeh also provides 20.3g protein and 10.8g fat per 100g. Among the 17 items in this category, tempeh sits at the low end for sodium — next closest is Greek Yogurt at 33mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodium
Plain192kcal20.3g10.8g7.6g9mg
Cooked195kcal19.9g11.4g7.6g14mg

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Tofu

Allowed

Tofu is classified as Allowed on Low-Sodium, with 35mg sodium per 100g. This means it is naturally low in sodium. Among the 17 items in this category, tofu sits at the low end for sodium — next closest is Chickpea Flour at 64mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodium
Firm144kcal17.3g8.7g2.8g14mg
Soft/Silken270kcal18.8g20.2g8.9g16mg

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Veggie Burger

Allowed

Veggie Burger is classified as Allowed on Low-Sodium, with 534mg sodium per 100g. This means it is naturally low in sodium. It also contains 13g protein and 5.2g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Gelatin at 466mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

224kcalCalories
13gProtein
5.2gFat
30.8gCarbs
534mgSodium

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Whey Protein

Allowed

At 968mg sodium per 100g, Whey Protein falls into the Allowed category under Low-Sodium guidelines. The classification reflects that it is naturally low in sodium. Nutritionally, it also delivers 11.7g protein per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Protein Powder at 733mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

339kcalCalories
11.7gProtein
0.5gFat
73.4gCarbs
968mgSodium

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Limited Protein (2)

Protein Bars

Limited

At 1000mg sodium per 100g, Protein Bars falls into the Limited category under Low-Sodium guidelines. It is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. Beyond the primary classification, protein bars also provides 88.3g protein per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Soy Protein at 1000mg. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

335kcalCalories
88.3gProtein
3.4gFat
0gCarbs
1000mgSodium

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Protein Shakes

Limited

With 111mg sodium per 100g, Protein Shakes earns a Limited classification on Low-Sodium. This means it is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. Within this category, it falls between Chickpea Flour and Black Beans for sodium, ranking 6 of 17. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

119kcalCalories
3.1gProtein
2.7gFat
21.2gCarbs
111mgSodium

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