Low Sodium Kidney Friendly Veggie Burgers and more!

For a variety of reasons, plant based proteins are becoming more and more popular. In this article, we talk about why plant protein can be a good option for people with kidney disease and also list out the most kidney friendly veggie burgers and other frozen plant based protein options.

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Is plant based protein good for kidneys?

Yes, plant based protein is a good option for people living with kidney disease. There is more and more research that supports people with kidney disease choosing more plant-based foods, including plant proteins like veggie burgers.

If you have CKD and are not on dialysis, research shows that following a lower protein diet can improve long-term outcomes for people with kidney disease, while people on dialysis may need to eat more protein. In addition to the amount of protein you eat, the type of protein that you eat can also matter.

Older versions of the nutrition guidelines for chronic kidney disease put an emphasis on choosing protein that was from animal sources, however that guidance was removed from the current guidelines. The emphasis on animal protein in the old guidelines was not actually evidenced based and based only on the opinions of the authors (which we now know is wrong). If you read about or talk to anyone who tells you to focus on protein with “high biological value”, that is a clue that they are following the old guidelines and not the new ones (and that probably means that you do NOT want to be following their advice – who knows what else they get wrong!).

Getting your protein from plant sources has a number of benefits:

• Improved blood pressure – people who eat more plant-based foods tend to have better blood pressure control. Additionally, certain amino acids found in higher amounts in animal proteins have been associated with higher blood pressure, while certain amino acids in plant proteins have been associated with lower blood pressure.
• Improved phosphorus control – plant based proteins contain phosphorus that is poorly absorbed by the body. Even though plant proteins tend to contain more phosphorus than animal proteins, less is absorbed, which results in better phosphorus control.
• Improved gut microbiome – the type of bacteria in your gut have a big impact on your overall health. Eating more plant foods helps increase the type of bacteria that help reduce inflammation and improve your immune system. These same types of good bacteria can also help reduce the production of certain uremic toxins.
• Improved control of metabolic acidosis – animal proteins are higher in the sulfur containing amino acids, which produce more acid in the blood. Plant protein will generate less acid in the blood compared to the same amount of animal protein.
• Improved diabetes outcomes – plant based foods are higher in fiber, which helps with blood sugar control.
• Reduced risk of constipation, which can improve potassium removal from the body
• Easier to follow a lower protein diet – people who follow a plant-based diet tend to naturally eat a similar amount of protein that is recommended for people with CKD who are not on dialysis. However, with the right planning, it is also possible to achieve a higher protein intake, if needed.

Are veggie burgers bad for kidney disease?

The best sources of plant based protein are those that are minimally processed such as beans, nuts, or seeds. However, sometimes you really want the convenience of a veggie burger, so there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Protein – Many plant based proteins are still quite high in protein. If you’re on dialysis, then this is not an issue, but if you are not yet on dialysis (and trying to avoid getting there anytime soon), then your protein needs are going to be lower. People with kidney disease who are on a lower protein diet can easily meet their protein needs without eating any meat or meat substitutes. People with kidney disease and diabetes have a little more wiggle room when it comes to the amount of protein they can have, but they still don’t need to seek out a plant based protein.
• Sodium – the plant based proteins and meat substitutes that you find in the frozen food aisle are going to be very high in sodium (like pretty much all frozen foods that aren’t desserts). Too much sodium can cause fluid retention, increase your blood pressure, cause swelling in your hands/feet/legs/etc, cause you to feel short of breath, etc. It is REALLY important to avoid consuming too much sodium.
• Phosphorus – like other processed foods, many frozen meat substitutes and plant based proteins contain phosphorus additives. Too much phosphorus, especially in the form of phosphorus additives, is bad for your cardiovascular system. People with kidney disease are at increased risk for developing complications related to too much phosphorus, so it is very important to avoid phosphorus additives whenever possible.
• Potassium – Some people with kidney disease need to be on a lower potassium diet, and many meat substitutes are high in potassium. That being said, many people with kidney disease do NOT need to be on a potassium restriction and there are many other things that can cause potassium to be out of control.. Be sure to talk to your dietitian about whether or not you need to limit your potassium intake.
• Expensive – my favorite plant based proteins are canned beans (no salt added!) and nuts, which are both relatively inexpensive compared to meat. However, processed plant based proteins tend to me much more expensive. Maybe not as expensive as beef or chicken, but still pricy compared to a can of beans.

How to choose a kidney friendly veggie burger

All that being said, frozen plant based proteins are convenient. And for people that are struggling to come up with meal ideas that aren’t centered around meat, using a frozen plant based protein can be a way to ease into eating less meat and more plants. If you’re going to choose a frozen plant based protein, here are my tips to make it as kidney friendly as possible:

Lowest Sodium Veggie Burger

We typically recommend choosing foods that have less sodium than calories. If you do this with all of your food, then it is a surefire way to stay under the recommended 2300mg of sodium or less per day.

In the case of these veggie burgers, they are usually going to have more sodium than calories. However, it’s not the end of the world, because we can always balance that out by choosing other foods that are much lower in sodium. We also recommend comparing the food labels and choosing an option with the least amount of sodium.

If the plant based protein that you choose has 200 calories and 400mg of sodium, then you need to find a way to shave 200mg of sodium off of a different meal or snack. Maybe you have some go-to low sodium snacks (hello fruit and nuts!) that give you some wiggle room with your sodium.

If you’ve taken our course on CKD nutrition, then you’ve seen our meal plans and know how easy it is to have extra sodium to spend in your day. So be sure to balance out the sodium!

Low Phosphorus Veggie Burger

Check for phosphorus additives. Read the ingredient list and see if you can find any ingredients with the letters “PHOS” in them. If you see some, put that item back and look for something else. We want to avoid phosphorus additives whenever possible. As you’ll see below, there are PLENTY of options out there that are not going to have additives.

Understand your protein needs

Talk to your dietitian and to determine how much protein you should be eating at each meal, and check the nutrition label to see how much protein is in each serving. Some options have more protein than others. If you’re on a lower protein diet, then consider choosing one that has less protein per serving, or consider eating a smaller portion with your meal. There are several veggie burger options below that are low in protein!

Understand your potassium needs

Some people with kidney disease need to eat more potassium, some less. Some people don’t need to worry about the potassium content of their food. If you are looking for a low potassium veggie burger, then focus on finding one with less than 200mg of potassium or less than 4% of the daily value.

If you are following a low protein diet, then keep the serving size in mind. If a serving has 400mg of potassium in it, but you plan to only eat half a serving because you do not need as much protein, then your serving would only have 200mg of potassium in it.

Lowest Sodium Kidney Friendly Veggie Burgers you can buy

The items list below are listed in order of least amount of sodium to greatest amount of sodium. I do not list anything with 250mg of excess sodium or more, because the more excess sodium in a food, the more difficult it is to offset that sodium by making smarter choices throughout the rest of the day. Where possible, I recommend choosing items with the least amount of excess sodium.

Quorn Meatless Grounds

• Calories: 100
• Protein: 15g
• Carbohydrate: 10g
• Fat: 2g
• Sodium: 65mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 75mg
• Calcium: 140mg
• Fiber: 8g
• Sugar: 0g

Surprise! This is actually a low sodium food. Each serving is relatively high in protein, high in fiber, but low in sodium. If you’re on a lower protein diet, I would consider reducing the portion size. If you’re on dilaysis and need more protein, I would talk to your dietitian about the calcium content of these grounds. Eat too much would really increase your calcium intake. Also, note that these are very low in fat. Be sure to pair these with foods that are high in fat such as avocado or olive oil.

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Beyond Beef Crumbles – Feisty

• Calories: 90
• Protein: 14g
• Carbohydrate: 2g
• Fat: 2.5g
• Sodium: 110mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 240mg
• Calcium: 40mg
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Sugar: 0.5g

I thought for sure that anything labeled “feisty” would be loaded with sodium, but I was pleasantly surprised that these only Beyond Beef Crumbles have only 20mg of excess sodium per serving. If you’re not into feisty flavors, they also make a plain version with similar nutrition. These are low in fat, so be sure to serve these with something high in fat like avocado or cook them with some non-starchy vegetables in olive oil.

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Beyond Meat Cookout Classic Plant Based Burger Patties

• Calories: 290
• Protein: 18g
• Carbohydrate: 4g
• Fat: 22g
• Sodium: 340mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 270mg
• Calcium: 80mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 0g

These lower sodium veggie burgers contain only 50mg of excess sodium per patty, which can easily be fit into your daily sodium intake. These burgers also appear to be a better value compare to their “raw” patties.

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Wegman’s Meatless Chicken Style Breasts

• Calories: 110
• Protein: 12g
• Carbohydrate: 10g
• Fat: 3.5g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 404mg
• Calcium: 79mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 0.5g

If you live near a Wegman’s, you can probably find these in your store. These plant based “chicken breasts” contain 70mg of excess sodium. These are relatively low in fiber and fat, so be sure to pair these with some high fiber foods and some higher fats foods, such as some vegetables cooked in olive oil.

Quorn Vegan Meatless Diced Chiqin Pieces

• Calories: 120
• Protein: 17g
• Carbohydrate: 11g
• Fat: 3g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 112mg
• Calcium: 333mg
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 0.5g

These diced plant based chicken pieces contain 80mg of excess sodium per serving. They are also high in protein, so if you are on a lower protein diet, I recommend using a smaller portion that what is listed on the nutrition facts label. Each serving also contains 6g of fiber, which is great. These are very low in fat though, so be sure to include a source of fat in your meal like olive oil or avocado. I also want to point out that this food is relatively high in calcium. This can be good for some people, but may be bad for others. Ask your dietitian if you need to be consuming more or less calcium.

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Dr. Praeger’s Super Greens Veggie Burger

• Calories: 160
• Protein: 10g
• Carbohydrate: 11g
• Fat: 8g
• Sodium: 260mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 180mg
• Calcium: 55mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 0g

This burger has a moderate amount of protein and contains only 100mg of excess sodium. It also contains 4g of fiber, and is relatively low in carbohydrates which might make this burger particularly good for people with kidney disease and diabetes. They also make a Kale veggie burger that has a very similar nutrition profile (but a bit more fiber!) and contains no phosphorus additives.

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Dr. Praeger’s California Veggie Burger

• Calories: 130
• Protein: 5g
• Carbohydrate: 13g
• Fat: 6g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 250mg
• Calcium: 40mg
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 1g

This veggie burger is lower in protein than many other plant based burger’s, which make it a good option for people on a lower protein diet. They also make a gluten free version with a similar nutrition profile. This burger has 120mg of excess sodium and it high in fiber, which is great for people with kidney disease. The vast majority of Dr. Praeger foods contain no added phosphorus.

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Beyond Steak

• Calories: 170
• Protein: 21g
• Carbohydrate: 7g
• Fat: 6g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 370mg
• Calcium: 20mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 0.5g

Each serving of this plant based protein contains only 130 excess mg of sodium. Note that this meat substitute is relatively low in fat. If you have kidney disease and diabetes, be sure to pair this with some healthy fats, non starchy vegetables, and a high fiber whole grain to limit the impact on blood sugar.

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Daring Breaded Plant Chicken Pieces

• Calories: 200
• Protein: 11g
• Carbohydrate: 17g
• Fat: 10g
• Sodium: 340mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 376mg
• Calcium: 52mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 0g

Each serving of these plant based chicken tenders contain 140mg of excess sodium. Compared to other plant based meat substitutes, these are lower in protein per serving. Note: this brand offers several other plant based chicken options that are significantly higher in sodium, so be careful that you choose this version.

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Dr. Praeger Black Bean Quinoa Veggie Burger

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 5g
• Carbohydrate: 16g
• Fat: 7g
• Sodium: 290mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 250mg
• Calcium: 30mg
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 1g

This veggie burger is lower in protein than many other plant based burger’s, which make it a good option for people on a lower protein diet. This burger has 140mg of excess sodium and it high in fiber, which is great for people with kidney disease. The vast majority of Dr. Praeger foods contain no added phosphorus.

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Dr. Praeger’s Veggie Cakes

• Calories: 120
• Protein: 4g
• Carbohydrate: 17g
• Fat: 3.5g
• Sodium: 260mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 290mg
• Calcium: 20mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 1g

Dr. Prager’s makes three different varieties of veggie cakes that contain no phosphorus additives and only about 140mg of excess sodium per serving. These are not traditional meat substitutes because they are actually quite low in protein. If you are on a low protein diet and looking for something that looks like an entree, but isn’t higih in protein, these could be a good choice. As a bonus, each serving contains a serving of vegetables! All three flavors (Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, and Spinach) contain no phosphorus additives, are low in protein, and only a moderate amount of excess sodium.

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Dr. Praeger’s Mushroom Risotto Burger

• Calories: 130
• Protein: 2g
• Carbohydrate: 16g
• Fat: 6g
• Sodium: 270mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 125mg
• Calcium: 15mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 0.5g

This is probably the lowest protein veggie burger I’ve seen (and it contains truffle oil!). Each burger contains 4g of fiber, which is great and 140mg of excess sodium, which should be relatively easy to balance out the rest of the day.

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Impossible Burger

• Calories: 230
• Protein: 19g
• Carbohydrate: 9g
• Fat: 13g
• Sodium: 370mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 700mg
• Calcium: 180mg
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 0.5g

These veggie burgers contain 140mg of excess sodium. These are high protein burgers, so if you follow a lower protein diet, you may need to adjust your portion size (or choose a burger with less protein per serving). These burgers do contain a good amount of fiber, which is great. Note that they contain 700mg of potassium per burger. These may not be appropriate for someone on hemodialysis, however these could be a good option for someone on peritoneal dialysis. Note that this company also makes “fresh” plant based meat that can be found in the meat section of your grocery store. Using the fresh version may make it easier to control portion sizes if you are on a lower protein diet.

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Dr. Praeger’s Perfect Burger

• Calories: 230
• Protein: 20g
• Carbohydrate: 8g
• Fat: 13g
• Sodium: 380mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 150mg
• Calcium: 70mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 0g

This veggie burger is higher in protein than the majority of Dr. Praeger’s other veggie burgers. It has 150mg of excess sodium. This burger might be a good choice for someone with higher protein needs, such as someone on dialysis.

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Morningstar Farms Tomato & Basil Pizza Burger

• Calories: 130
• Protein: 10g
• Carbohydrate: 11g
• Fat: 7g
• Sodium: 280mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 320mg
• Calcium: 70mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 2g

Each of these veggie burgers contains 150mg of excess sodium. They contain a moderate amount of protein and are high in fiber, so these may be appropriate for someone who has both diabetes and kidney disease and has higher protein needs.

Beyond Beef

• Calories: 230
• Protein: 20g
• Carbohydrate: 7g
• Fat: 14g
• Sodium: 390mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 330mg
• Calcium: 100mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 0g

Each serving of this plant based ground beef contains 160mg of excess sodium. You can reduce both the protein and sodium by choosing a smaller portion.

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Beyond Burger

• Calories: 230
• Protein: 20g
• Carbohydrate: 7g
• Fat: 14g
• Sodium: 390mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 330mg
• Calcium: 100mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 0g

Each of these plant based burger patties have 160mg of excess sodium. If you are on a protein restriction, consider how you might reduce the portion size to reduce the amount of protein in your meal.

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Impossible Chicken Patties

• Calories: 180
• Protein: 10g
• Carbohydrate: 15g
• Fat: 9g
• Sodium: 350mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 480mg
• Calcium: 90mg
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 0.5g

These chicken patties contain 170mg of excess sodium. They also make a spicy version that has an almost identical nutrition profile.

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Simple Truth Meatless Crispy Tenders

• Calories: 190
• Protein: 14g
• Carbohydrate: 18g
• Fat: 8g
• Sodium: 370mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 300mg
• Calcium: 50mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g

These plant based chicken tenders can be found in Kroger stores. They have 180mg of excess sodium per serving of 4 tenders. If you are on a lower protein diet, I would recommend reducing the serving size (which will also reduce the amount of excess sodium). These are low in fiber, despite containing 17g of carbohydrates. Be sure to pair these with some high fiber, non-starchy vegetables cooked in a healthy fat such as olive oil.

Gardein Plant Based Seven Grain Crispy Tenders

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 10g
• Carbohydrate: 11g
• Fat: 7g
• Sodium: 350mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Sugar: 0g

Major kudos to Gardein for using cream of tartar as their leavening agent instead of a phosphorus additive! Breaded chick (whether it is real or plant based) is notorious for phosphorus additives, so it is nice to see a major brand that has found a better way. These plant based chicken strips have 200mg of excess sodium and 10g of protein. These contain almost zero fiber and are relatively low in fat, so be sure to pair these with some high fiber and high fat foods. Please note that some food items in this brand are REALLY high in sodium (like 1000mg of excess sodium!!!!). So be mindful of the nutrition label when selecting something from their brand. Also note that their nutrition facts labels suspiciously say that there is 0 potassium. I find this very hard to believe, so please keep that in mind if you are on a potassium restriction.

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Gardein Plant Based Lightly Seasoned Chick’n Scallopini

• Calories: 100
• Protein: 11g
• Carbohydrate: 4g
• Fat: 4g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 0mg
• Calcium: 0mg
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 0.5g

These plant based chicken patties have 200mg of excess sodium and 11g of protein. These contain zero fiber and are relatively low in fat, so be sure to pair these with some high fiber and high fat foods. Please note that some food items in this brand are REALLY high in sodium (like 1000mg of excess sodium!!!!). So be mindful of the nutrition label when selecting something from their brand. Also note that their nutrition facts labels suspiciously say that there is 0 potassium. I find this very hard to believe, so please keep that in mind if you are on a potassium restriction.

Morningstar Farms Garden Veggie

• Calories: 100
• Protein: 10g
• Carbohydrate: 12g
• Fat: 3g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 190mg
• Calcium: 40mg
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 2g

These veggie burgers contain 200mg of excess sodium per serving. However, they do contain a more modest amount of protein and are high in fiber, so these may be more appropriate for someone who has kidney disease and diabetes and may have slightly higher protein needs (just be sure to offset the sodium).

Beyond Meatballs

• Calories: 290
• Protein: 19g
• Carbohydrate: 9g
• Fat: 21g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 460mg
• Calcium: 110mg
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 0g

Each serving of 5 meatballs contains 19g of protein and 210mg of excess sodium. If you are on a lower protein diet, you can easily cut the portion down (which will also cut down on the sodium!). Note: many products from this manufacturer contain phosphorus additives. Please read labels before choosing any of their other products.

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Gardein Meatballs

• Calories: 160
• Protein: 15g
• Carbohydrate: 9g
• Fat: 7g
• Sodium: 370mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 280mg
• Calcium: 60mg
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 0.5g

Each serving of 3 meatballs contains 15g of protein and 210mg of excess sodium. If you are on a lower protein diet, you can easily cut the portion down (which will also cut down on the sodium!), however it might be best to choose the meatballs above that have a larger portion size). Note: many products from this manufacturer contain phosphorus additives. Please read labels before choosing any of their other products.

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Morningstar Farms Spicy Black Bean Burgers

• Calories: 110
• Protein: 9g
• Carbohydrate: 13g
• Fat: 4.5g
• Sodium: 320mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 250mg
• Calcium: 50mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 1g

These black bean burgers contain 240mg of excess sodium per serving. However, they do contain a more modest amount of protein and are high in fiber, so these may be more appropriate for someone who has kidney disease and diabetes and may have slightly higher protein needs (just be sure to offset the sodium).

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Gardein Plant Based Chicken Strips

• Calories: 130
• Protein: 15g
• Carbohydrate: 4g
• Fat: 6g
• Sodium: 370mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 0mg
• Calcium: 30mg
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 0.5g

These have 240mg of excess sodium and 15g of protein. If you are on a lower protein diet, you may want to consider making the serving size smaller so that you get less protein (and less sodium!). These contain zero fiber and are relatively low in fat, so be sure to pair these with some high fiber and high fat foods. Please note that some food items in this brand are REALLY high in sodium (like 1000mg of excess sodium!!!!). So be mindful of the nutrition label when selecting something from their brand. Also note that their nutrition facts labels suspiciously say that there is 0 potassium. I find this very hard to believe, so please keep that in mind if you are on a potassium restriction.

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Gardein Ultimate Plant Based Burger

• Calories: 210
• Protein: 20g
• Carbohydrate: 7g
• Fat: 15g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Calcium: 100mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 0.5g

This plant based burger is high in protein and has have 240mg of excess sodium. If you are on a lower protein diet, you may want to consider making the serving size smaller so that you get less protein (and less sodium!). These contain zero fiber and are relatively low in fat, so be sure to pair these with some high fiber and high fat foods. Please note that some food items in this brand are REALLY high in sodium (like 1000mg of excess sodium!!!!). So be mindful of the nutrition label when selecting something from their brand. Also note that their nutrition facts labels suspiciously say that there is 0 potassium. I find this very hard to believe, so please keep that in mind if you are on a potassium restriction.