Redmond Re-Lyte vs LMNT Electrolyte Comparison
I never loved electrolytes because they tasted like pure sugar and made me feel terrible. Now that there’s a bit of a sugar-free hype in the health world, especially with electrolytes, we now have options! In this post, I’ll break down my personal opinion of two popular and high-quality electrolyte options: Redmond Re-Lyte vs LMNT.
As an endurance-hiker-turned-mother, I’ve found that the right electrolytes help me feel better, give me an energy boost, AND can be a nice treat to enjoy throughout the day. This post is not intended to dissect the actual health rating of each option, rather to share my experience on flavor, accessibility, and variety of my two favorite electrolyte mixes.
How it all started…
The first time I tried one of these salty electrolytes, I spit it out. Never one to like salty things, I was NOT into it.
However, the second time changed everything.
At the top of a mountain after a brutal 9-mile hike up, my friend gave me a pack of LMNT to pop in my Nalgene and I immediately felt like a new person.
I was hooked.
LMNT was my go-to electrolyte drink mix for a while, and then I moved to Utah where Redmond Re-Lyte was an easy option to grab in grocery stores and I quickly learned to love that one too.
So which is better, LMNT or Re-Lyte?
And what’s the difference between Redmond Re-Lyte vs LMNT anyway? Let’s chat about it.
The facts about LMNT
LMNT is high in sodium (which can be good or bad, depending on your needs). I prefer it for the days I really need an extra boost like endurance hiking, hot days, and yes: giving birth and nursing.
If it’s a sweaty day, LMNT is what I reach for. I know it’s very limited and the minimal, essential ingredients are going to make me feel alive again. It’s truly the ONE electrolyte mix that actually feels like I’m getting an IV of goodness when I need it.
LMNT’s Saltiness: 10/10
As I said before, the salty taste is strong. Some people are all about it, but it was definitely acquired for me. I also tend to dilute it beyond the recommended amount of water (one 32 oz Nalgene per pack is my standard).
LMNT’s Ingredients
LMNT has the top three main electrolytes the human body needs…
If you’re into a complicated mineral mix for your electrolytes, LMNT might not be for you. With a short ingredient list, LMNT focuses on the essentials of sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
What is the controversy surrounding LMNT electrolytes?
There was some uproar about maltodextrin presence in their “natural flavors,” but I’m personally not too worried about the small amount. Some people felt very betrayed. If you’d like to avoid it completely, you could always pair an unflavored LMNT with a True Lemon packet!
LMNT’s Accessibility
I used to hate that LMNT was hard to obtain, but in case you didn’t know, that’s not really an issue anymore! I used to only be able to get it through direct order or Thrive, but now they have options at Walmart and Target which has made my life SO much easier when I need it in a pinch.
LMNT’s Variety & Packaging
LMNT has a steady growing flavor options, but they’ve kept the options fairly minimal. Every winter and summer they seem to have a “limited” run flavor and sometimes that becomes part of the full-rotation and sometimes it goes away.
I do love that the winter flavors taste yummy hot. My all-time favorite hot drink is the LMNT Mint Chocolate!
They also keep it simple with packaging, so there are pretty much two options: individual packets and the sparkling cans. Speaking of…
My favorite LMNT treat
After having my baby in March, I decided to treat myself to the sparkling waters LMNT makes. Let me tell you, it was the boost I looked forward to every day while making all the new baby adjustments. Now I treat myself to it when we go on a family camping trip 🙂
Because it’s not an option for the powder mix, I particularly love the pineapple flavor.
The facts about Redmond Re-Lyte
Is Re-Lyte a good electrolyte brand?
The the best part about Redmond Re-Lyte is there’s an option for every day life, not just crazy workout days! When comparing LMNT vs Redmond Re-Lyte, Re-lyte doesn’t feel as intense with a smaller amount of sodium.
If somebody is new to electrolyte mixes, this is the one I’d have them start with. Redmond Re-Lyte has more variety in the minerals and vitamins they offer, plus it’s got a more gentle flavor. This is the one I grab in the middle of first-trimester nausea and it single-handedly helped me get through!
Redmond Re-Lyte’s Saltiness: 9/10
After drinking LMNT for a few years, Redmond Re-Lyte did not taste salty to me at all. However, my husband was taken aback by just how salty it was. To me, it’s probably a 7/10, to him it was probably an 11/10 😉 So I chose the 9/10 which is likely more realistic.
Redmond Re-Lyte’s Ingredients
When it’s LMNT vs Redmond Re-Lyte, the ingredient list is a little longer on Redmond’s side. I haven’t heard of any controversies, but some of their labels do have the vague “natural flavors” listed. Redmond Re-Lyte does feature calcium and coconut water powder which is a defining difference from LMNT.
Honestly, there are so many different varieties, I didn’t have time to analyze each one because there’s so much. But generally speaking, their longer ingredient list is usually wholesome.
Redmond Re-Lyte’s Accessibility
One of the reasons I tried Redmond Re-Lyte in the first place was because I needed some electrolyte sin a pinch and they were at a local store. That’s one of my favorite things about Re-Lyte: you can find it in stores (at least here in Utah!). Which variety they offer is another question, but it’s nice to be able to pop into a local shop and know I’m going to find it.
Redmond Re-Lyte’s Variety & Packaging
If you like allll the options, Redmond Re-Lyte is the way to go. They have sticks, tubs, capsules, energy, and kids, plus flavors upon flavors. I’ve honestly not tried all of them, but haven’t tried any that were terrible. I especially love that they have an immunity option. It’s packed with extra vitamins that I reach for in the winter for my whole family.
Now for Some FAQs
What are signs you need electrolytes?
What is the healthiest and natural electrolyte drink?
Pure coconut water (without added ingredients), watermelon juice (just blend it up!), and cow’s milk are all fantastic options for a natural and healthy electrolyte drink. They’re also easy on the wallet 😉
How do I make my own LMNT electrolytes?
And is it cheaper to make my own electrolyte drink mix?
Yes, it’s much more affordable to make your own. Do I think it tastes exactly the same? No, bu it does help the budget when I’m consuming a lot of electrolytes.
Believe it or not, LMNT has the recipe for their mix on their website! After purchasing the ingredients in bulk, you can find the recipe for 30 servings below:
- 15 tsp sodium chloride
- 2 tsp potassium chloride
- 3 tsp magnesium malate
Below is a shopping list in case that’s helpful 🙂
What is a better alternative to LMNT and Re-Lyte?
Some other brands that I’ve enjoyed in addition to LMNT and Redmond Re-Lyte are Ultima and Wellmade by Thrive.
So who wins? LMNT vs Redmond Re-Lyte?
It all depends! I personally find both of these electrolyte drink mixes very helpful in various scenarios. I am not dedicated to one brand over the other. They do serve different purposes in my life and I’m happy to use both. I also really love making my own electrolyte drink mixes as that can help my daily budget. There’s a lot of options out there for sure.
Tell me: which one do you prefer out of the LMNT vs. Redmond Re-Lyte debate? Leave a comment below!
