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
AllowedBlack 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
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | 341kcal | 21.6g | 1.4g | 62.4g | 5mg |
| Cooked (boiled) | 132kcal | 8.9g | 0.5g | 23.7g | 237mg |
| Canned | 91kcal | 4.8g | 1.3g | 15.4g | 970mg |
Chickpea Flour
AllowedAt 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
Collagen Peptides
AllowedWith 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
Edamame
AllowedAt 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
Eggs
AllowedEggs is classified as Allowed on Low-Sodium. This classification reflects that it is naturally low in sodium.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Egg (raw) | 143kcal | 12.6g | 9.5g | 0.7g | 142mg |
| Egg White (raw) | 52kcal | 10.9g | 0.2g | 0.7g | 166mg |
| Egg Yolk (raw) | 322kcal | 15.9g | 26.5g | 3.6g | 48mg |
Gelatin
AllowedAt 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
Greek Yogurt
AllowedAt 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
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain (whole milk) | 97kcal | 9g | 5g | 4g | 47mg |
| Plain (nonfat) | 61kcal | 10.3g | 0.4g | 3.6g | 36mg |
Kidney Beans
AllowedWith 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
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | 337kcal | 22.5g | 1.1g | 61.3g | 12mg |
| Cooked (boiled) | 127kcal | 8.7g | 0.5g | 22.8g | 238mg |
Lentil Pasta
AllowedLentil 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
Pea Protein
AllowedAt 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
Protein Powder
AllowedProtein 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
Soy Protein
AllowedSoy 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
Tempeh
AllowedAt 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
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain | 192kcal | 20.3g | 10.8g | 7.6g | 9mg |
| Cooked | 195kcal | 19.9g | 11.4g | 7.6g | 14mg |
Tofu
AllowedTofu 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
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firm | 144kcal | 17.3g | 8.7g | 2.8g | 14mg |
| Soft/Silken | 270kcal | 18.8g | 20.2g | 8.9g | 16mg |
Veggie Burger
AllowedVeggie 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
Whey Protein
AllowedAt 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
Limited Protein (2)
Protein Bars
LimitedAt 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
Protein Shakes
LimitedWith 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