LMNT vs Just Ingredients: My Honest Comparison
I didn’t set out to compare LMNT and Just Ingredients. I just wanted something that actually helped me feel better.
Like a lot of people, I started paying attention to electrolytes after dealing with low energy, workouts that felt harder than they should, and that annoying afternoon crash. I tried plain water. I tried adding salt. I tried a few random powders. Some worked a little, some tasted awful, and some just didn’t sit right with me.
LMNT and Just Ingredients kept coming up in conversations, podcasts, and comment sections. Both promise clean ingredients and better hydration, but they go about it in very different ways. So I tried them. Not for a day or two, but long enough to notice how my body actually responded.
This isn’t a lab test or a sponsored breakdown. It’s just my real experience using both, what I liked, what I didn’t, and which one I reach for depending on the day. If you’re stuck choosing between LMNT and Just Ingredients, hopefully this makes that decision easier.
What Is LMNT?
LMNT is a zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix that’s built around one main idea: a lot of us aren’t getting enough salt.
It’s especially popular with endurance athletes, heavy sweaters, and people doing keto, low-carb, or fasting. Basically, if you lose a lot of salt through sweat or diet, LMNT is made for that.
What really sets LMNT apart is the sodium content. It’s much higher than most hydration drinks out there. That’s why, in my experience, it tends to work fast. When I’m training hard, sweating a lot, or out in the heat, I can usually feel the difference pretty quickly after drinking it.
That high sodium dose is also why LMNT can feel intense if you’re not used to it. Some people love that punch. Others need time to adjust. But there’s no question that LMNT is designed to solve a very specific problem: replacing salt, not just flavoring water.
What Is Just Ingredients Electrolytes?
Just Ingredients electrolytes are built more for everyday hydration than extreme sweat loss.
Instead of loading up on sodium, the formula uses a 3:1 potassium-to-sodium ratio. That’s paired with coconut water powder and fruit-based flavoring, which gives it a much gentler feel overall. The focus here is real-food ingredients and a cleaner label, not a hard hit of salt.
In my experience, this is the kind of electrolyte I reach for on normal days. Light workouts, walks, errands, or when I just want my water to actually hydrate me without feeling like I’m drinking saltwater. It supports hydration without overpowering your system.
Just Ingredients is clearly aimed at people who want low sugar, minimal additives, and steady mineral support. If LMNT feels intense or too aggressive for your day-to-day life, this one tends to feel a lot more balanced.
Electrolyte Amounts (Exact Numbers per Packet)
Here’s where the difference between LMNT and Just Ingredients becomes very obvious. On paper, they’re almost built for opposite purposes.
| Electrolyte | LMNT (1 stick) | Just Ingredients (1 scoop) |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 1,000 mg | ~100 mg |
| Potassium | 200 mg | ~250–300 mg |
| Magnesium | 60 mg | ~40–50 mg |
| Calcium | 0 mg | ~40–50 mg |
| Chloride | Yes (from salt) | Yes (~145 mg reported) |
When I first saw these numbers, it explained a lot about how each one feels in my body.
LMNT is extremely sodium-dominant. That 1,000 mg of sodium is doing most of the work, which makes sense if you’re sweating heavily, training hard, or losing salt fast.
Just Ingredients flips the script. It’s potassium-forward, includes calcium, and keeps sodium much lower. That balance feels better to me for daily hydration when I’m not pushing my limits.
Sugar & Calories
With LMNT, this part is simple. It has zero calories and zero sugar. The flavored versions are sweetened with stevia, and that’s it. If you’re fasting, doing keto, or just don’t want anything that could technically break a fast, LMNT fits cleanly into that box. I’ve used it during fasted workouts without thinking twice about it.
Just Ingredients takes a different approach. One serving lands around 20–25 calories, with roughly 4–6 grams of carbs coming from real fruit powders. There’s no added sugar, but it’s not calorie-free either. You’re getting a small amount of natural carbs along with the minerals.
So if you’re strictly avoiding calories or want something that won’t interfere with fasting or ketosis, LMNT clearly wins here. Just Ingredients makes more sense if you’re okay with a little fuel and prefer sweetness that comes from real food rather than a zero-calorie sweetener.
Ingredients Breakdown
LMNT keeps things very stripped down, and that’s intentional.
The ingredient list is short and functional: sodium chloride (salt), potassium chloride, and magnesium malate. The flavored versions add natural flavors and stevia leaf extract, but that’s it. No fillers, no vitamins, no extras trying to do too much.
What this means in real life is that LMNT is designed purely for electrolyte replacement. It’s not trying to be a nutrition product. It’s trying to replace the salt and minerals you lose when you sweat, fast, or train hard. Simple and very targeted.
Just Ingredients goes in the opposite direction.
Instead of isolated minerals only, it uses coconut water powder, sea salt with trace minerals, real fruit powders for flavor, potassium chloride, and magnesium (usually citrate or oxide). The ingredient list is still clean, but it feels more like food.
What this means is that Just Ingredients leans closer to a daily nutrition product than a performance supplement. It’s naturally flavored, gentler, and built for consistent hydration rather than aggressive electrolyte replacement.
Hydration Effectiveness
In my experience, LMNT really shines in specific situations. It works best when you’re sweating a lot, training for long periods, or dealing with heat. I also find it helpful if cramps start creeping in or when I feel clearly depleted from salt loss. If you follow keto or fast regularly, that high sodium content can make a noticeable difference. The heavy sodium load supports rapid fluid retention, which is exactly what heavy sweaters tend to need.
Just Ingredients feels better suited for everyday use. It works well when you want steady hydration throughout the day, especially with light to moderate exercise. If you’re watching your sodium intake or prefer sipping on something gentle over hours instead of taking a big hit all at once, this one makes more sense. It’s not designed to replace large sweat losses, but for baseline hydration, it does the job well without feeling overpowering.
Health & Wellness Benefits
With LMNT, the benefits are very performance-driven. The high sodium content supports nerve signaling and muscle function during intense activity, which is why it’s often used to help prevent cramping tied to salt loss. I also like that it’s zero sugar and doesn’t use artificial colors or fillers. It’s very clean for what it’s trying to do.
That said, the sodium level is no joke. At 1,000 mg per serving, it’s a lot, especially if you’re not sweating heavily or training hard. For people with hypertension, low sweat loss, or who already get plenty of sodium from food, this may be more than you need on a regular basis.
Just Ingredients focuses more on overall wellness than performance extremes. It supports electrolyte balance without overwhelming your system with sodium, which makes it feel gentler and easier to use daily. The lower calorie load and real-food ingredients also tend to be easier on digestion. I can see why it appeals to families and people who care a lot about ingredient sourcing.
One thing worth noting is that independent testing has flagged trace heavy metals in at least one flavor sample. This doesn’t automatically mean it’s unsafe, but if you’re sensitive or especially cautious, it’s reasonable to request or review third-party lab results before committing long term.
Price Comparison
LMNT usually lands around $1.30 to $1.50 per stick, depending on how you buy it. Subscriptions can bring that cost down a bit, and they sell it in individual sticks, cans, and bulk bundles. It’s not the cheapest option, but you’re paying for a very high sodium dose in each serving.
Just Ingredients comes in at about $29.99 for a 30-serving tub, which works out to roughly $1.00 per serving. Single sticks are available, but they tend to cost more per serving than the tub. Pricing is pretty typical for a clean-label electrolyte product using whole-food ingredients.
Overall, LMNT costs more per serving, but it also delivers significantly more sodium. If you actually need that level of salt replacement, the price makes more sense. If you’re focused on daily hydration, Just Ingredients is the more budget-friendly option.
Flavor & Taste
LMNT has a very distinct taste profile. It’s salty, bold, and there’s no hiding it. If you’ve never had a high-sodium drink before, it can be a shock at first. Personally, I don’t mind it when I actually need the salt. My go-to flavors are Citrus Salt, Grapefruit, Watermelon, and Raspberry. They still taste salty, but in a refreshing way. Some of the more experimental options like Chocolate Salt, Mango Chili, and Lemon Habanero are definitely polarizing. People either love them or can’t finish the packet.
Just Ingredients is much lighter in comparison. The flavors are fruit-forward and not overly sweet, which makes them easy to sip throughout the day. Lemonade, Strawberry Limeade, and Mango Lemonade tend to be the most popular. I find these more approachable, especially if you’re sensitive to strong flavors. That said, some people do notice a mild salty or mineral aftertaste, which makes sense given the ingredients, but it’s subtle and doesn’t linger much.
If taste matters a lot to you, this section alone might sway your decision. LMNT tastes like a performance product. Just Ingredients tastes like flavored water with a purpose.
Customer Experience
LMNT is easy to get, which I think matters more than people admit. You can order directly from their site, or grab it through places like Amazon and Walmart without much hassle. Free shipping is often available, especially with subscriptions. Among endurance athletes and heavy trainers, satisfaction tends to be very high, mostly because it does exactly what it promises.
Just Ingredients is also straightforward to order online, though it’s not as widely available in big-box stores. I do like that the tub packaging cuts down on single-use sticks, which feels like a small but meaningful plus. Reviews are generally positive, especially around taste and ingredient quality, though some customers raise questions about ingredient safety and testing, which is something more cautious buyers tend to pay attention to.
Overall, both brands deliver a solid customer experience. LMNT wins on availability and convenience. Just Ingredients wins with packaging choices and an audience that values transparency.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you’re deciding between LMNT and Just Ingredients, it really comes down to how you use electrolytes, not which one is “better.”
Choose LMNT if you sweat heavily, train for long periods, or spend a lot of time in the heat. It’s a good fit if you need fast, noticeable sodium replacement, follow keto, fasting, or low-carb diets, and don’t mind a salty, bold taste. When performance and recovery are the priority, LMNT does its job well.
Choose Just Ingredients if you’re focused on everyday hydration rather than intense training. It makes more sense if you prefer real-food ingredients, are limiting sodium, or want something light and naturally flavored with low sugar. This is the option I reach for on normal days when I just want my water to work a little better.
In short, LMNT is a tool for heavy sweat and high demand. Just Ingredients is built for balance and daily use.
Final Thoughts
After using both LMNT and Just Ingredients, I don’t really see this as a true head-to-head where one clearly beats the other. They’re solving different problems.
LMNT is something I treat like a tool. When I’m sweating a lot, training hard, fasting, or feeling clearly depleted, it works fast and does exactly what I need. It’s not subtle, and it’s not meant to be. You know right away what it’s doing.
Just Ingredients is what I use the rest of the time. It feels more like part of my daily routine. The ingredients are gentler, the flavors are easier to drink all day, and I don’t have to think about sodium overload if I’m not pushing my limits.
If you’re only going to buy one, think about your lifestyle, not the marketing. Heavy sweat and performance days call for LMNT. Everyday hydration and balance point toward Just Ingredients. For me, having both on hand has ended up being the best option.
