[00:00:00] Jenn Trepeck - host: Welcome to Salad with a side of Fries. I'm your host, Jenn Trepeck, talking wellness and weight loss for real life. We're here to clear up the myths, misinformation, bad science and marketing to teach you how to eat and how to cheat. Are you ready? I'm having salad with a side of fries. This week we're talking about LMNT.

[00:00:25] So these are electrolyte mix stick packs, and the label just has the letters, you know, the consonance of the word LMNT. So that's how they spell it, but it's pronounced element. So Jen S submitted this one through our website. She said, okay, I am on a roll, so I'll attempt to continue it. How about element?

[00:00:46] I like several of them. The citrus probably is the most. I like several of them. The citrus probably the most, but watermelon and raspberry also. So first, thank you, Jen for submitting these. I love when you all submit your ideas [00:01:00] for nutrition nuggets and full episodes. So if you've never reached out, please do.

[00:01:04] You can do it on all social media, wherever convenient for you. DM me at Jenn Trepeck. J-E-N-N-T-R-E-P-E-C-K Website is a salad with a side of fries.com. If you go to the contact form on my website, you can submit it right there like Gen S did for this one. Okay, Jen, I'm going to do this. Like we do all of our deep dives, and I know that's an oxymoron, but nevertheless, right, we have a short, deep dive, but you know, here we go.

[00:01:31] Alright. So I went to their site at the top. They're currently announcing a flavor that's here to stay, so I'm guessing it was a limited time flavor. Before I scroll down, and I have to admit, I like what I see here. They're jumping right into the formulation. The research behind it, it says more salt, not less, and talks about how more and more of the research is showing optimal health outcomes is really what we're looking for, and how much salt [00:02:00] we need for optimal health.

[00:02:01] Not just not being sick. But truly living well and living long, and that research shows that we need more salt than what the government recommends. So they're operating based on the research versus the government guidelines, which I'm in favor of. Then they highlight their flavors and in response to the question, what's inside?

[00:02:23] They have a video and then it says, no sugar, no gluten, no dodgy ingredients, vegan friendly, paleo, keto friendly. So I'm on board with all of this, the paleo keto friendly thing, signaling to me that they're using a low glycemic impact, natural sweetener. So we'll see when we get to the ingredients, but that's my guess on that one.

[00:02:44] Then they talk a bit about the founder's story and they start with the line. Health is a process. And honestly, I'm going to Amen. Right, thank you. Yes. You know, I'm with you on this one. I just, I have to clarify though, or co-founder, [00:03:00] not just founder. Co-founder. So his name is Rob Wolf and I'm quoting from them here.

[00:03:05] It says His health journey sparked a salty rebellion, so I'm into it, you know, intrigued to learn more. So the photo. They have on there with this part of it makes it look like he did martial arts or something. Not sure if it was karate or what, but anyway, he says he was a low carb whole food diet guy, but something was holding him back.

[00:03:30] He and his coaches figured out that he needed more salt, and I'm curious. To hear more, right? What helped them connect the dots, but they don't tell us. So, you know, onward it says that he tried a bunch of different products. Nothing seemed to do the trick. A lot of them were high in sugar. They didn't actually give him significant amounts of electrolytes, so they weren't doing what he needed.

[00:03:53] He started making his own. He found the best formula when he felt everything improved. [00:04:00] So he's noticed from his fitness improvement to his sleep and cognitive function. So I'm like, yes, yes, yes. All the things. This is what we know improves with proper minerals, right? Electrolytes are minerals. And then the rest of their homepage, they focus on educating anyone who scrolls down that far.

[00:04:18] They're educating on hydration. Again, I think it's awesome. I love that at the top of their site, they have easy to find information about the scientific research behind the products and formulations, information on the formulations themselves, among other things with their formulation. On the surface level.

[00:04:38] I like it. It says a thousand milligrams of sodium, 200 milligrams of potassium, 60 milligrams of magnesium. Now, of course, if you're a longtime listener, you know. I'm gonna keep digging 'cause I'm curious about the sources of each of these because that's what really makes the difference and what they're using.

[00:04:55] Also for the flavors and the sweeteners, it does say on the front of the [00:05:00] package, no sugar, one grab of carbs. So there must be some kind of sweetener in there. So let's go take a look. Again, I'm a fan of how easy they make it to find the info. So I'm gonna say thank you element on that one. Alright, looking at one formulation.

[00:05:16] Oh, it says one formulation, many flavors. So again, this is gonna make our job a little easier today. Jen s said that she likes the citrus, so that's what I'm looking at first on the nutrition facts. It is all exactly as we would expect. So serving size one stick pack, five calories, zero grams of fat, a thousand milligrams of sodium as they told us.

[00:05:38] Less than one gram of total carbs, and then zero grams of fiber. Zero grams of sugar, zero grams of added sugar. So we'll have to see from the ingredients, you know what's creating that carb, then zero grams of protein. The micronutrients, we see again, as expected 200 milligrams of potassium, 60 milligrams of magnesium.

[00:05:57] Now, to find the details, you know, I [00:06:00] want the sources. So looking at the ingredients, it says salt, sodium chloride, citric acid, magnesium malate, potassium chloride, natural lemon and lime flavors, and stevia leaf extract. So for the most part, I'm a yes here. I like the dosing of each ingredient, the thousand milligrams of sodium, 60 milligrams of magnesium, 200 milligrams of potassium.

[00:06:22] As for the sources starting with magnesium, it's magnesium malate, which I like. The one I use has dye magnesium malate, so it gives you two molecules of magnesium. So this one isn't bad, but we could still level up on the potassium. It's potassium chloride, which is fine. So the one that I use is dark Himalayan pink salt, which gives you more mineral content than typical sodium chloride.

[00:06:50] I wish they gave us more information here. I'm guessing they're not using that because I feel like if they were, they would say it. So. I don't think we [00:07:00] necessarily have to throw the baby out with the bath water on this, but I would say there are options that can even upgrade us further from what element is offering.

[00:07:10] Sylvia leaf extract is their sweetener, so between that and their flavorings. That's where you're getting that, you know, one gram or less of carbs and keeping it keto, paleo friendly. And I think the caveat on the flavors, and I mentioned this too, where we talked about another electrolyte drink. The mechanism of absorption, the mechanism of uptake of those minerals matters.

[00:07:35] So a lemon lime flavor itself can induce that uptake without. A blood sugar response without a glycemic response. Other flavors don't, and so some of those formulas may be relying on an insulin response for the absorption. We don't know if that's the case here. You know, I think. For me that would make the case to stick with [00:08:00] the citrus or the unflavored one versus using some of the other flavors that they offer.

[00:08:06] I think overall, I'm generally a fan. I'm personally sensitive to salt, so again, the one that I use with the dark pink Himalayan sea salt also has black pepper in it, which helps with some of that, not just the flavor, but also a bit of the absorption. If I didn't have mine handy, I suppose I would look for Element.

[00:08:25] If I was running around, 'cause it's a little more widely available than other ones. I will also just say kudos to them for their transparency. I respect it tremendously. In their FAQ, they basically tell you how to replicate their entire product on your own and I respect that. Sarah Bada, I've featured guests from this week.

[00:08:45] Supplements are a thousand percent your world. Funny that we're doing this today with you here. What are your thoughts? Anything you wanna add? Well, I know Rob,

[00:08:54] Sara Manta: he was on my podcast and I I, we have a few, few

[00:08:58] Jenn Trepeck - host: mutual friends. It's so [00:09:00] funny. This world is just so small. It is. Yeah.

[00:09:02] Sara Manta: So I first of all love the fact that they're promoting salt.

[00:09:07] Salt has gotten a bad name. We need salt. You're put on a saline drip when you're in the hospital. There's a reason. Our bodies, it's the foundation of salt. If I was on a deserted island, I, you'd find me with iodine and salt. You've gotta have 'em, both of 'em, for your adrenals, your thyroid, your, your whole system.

[00:09:25] I agree with you on everything that you brought up. As far as the company, the pros and the cons. It was in the news a while back because they had a hidden sweetener in there. I think it was Malitol, if I'm correct. And that doesn't give you a sweet taste in your mouth, but it triggers your gut to crave more.

[00:09:48] So I'm not a fan of Malitol. I, I'm pretty sure that was the other sweetener. And as far as your point on the salt, where the salt is coming from, it's like saying, [00:10:00] well, I don't know if that Apple's organic or not. You know, if it's organic because it will put all that big word organic all over it. 'cause you're paying up for it.

[00:10:09] So if it doesn't say then it might not be the best source, but is it one of the better electrolytes? Yes. So I, I'm with you on, on all of that.

[00:10:20] Jenn Trepeck - host: Awesome. I love it. Well, gen S, everybody, that's the scoop on Element, and as always, I'm your host, gen Tpic. Connect with me on Instagram or all social media. I'm at Gen Tpic, J-E-N-N-T-R-E-P-E-C-K.

[00:10:34] Website is a salad with a side of fries.com. Pick your platform, send a message. Hearing from you is absolutely the highlight of my day every time. Sarah Banta, thank you for being here. Thanks for having me.

[00:10:48] Sara Manta: This was so much fun.

[00:10:49] Jenn Trepeck - host: Oh, awesome. It was fun. And friends, if you are not already join the Happy Healthy Hub, you'll go to a salad with the side fries.com/membership.

[00:10:58] This shows your support for this podcast, this [00:11:00] community, and above all, it supports your health. On top of this week's episode, in full video with behind the scenes content, your 24 7, ask Me Anything, you'll get this week's recipe for the roasted cauliflower with tahini sauce. Us well friends. That's it for today's episode of Salad with a Side of Fries.

[00:11:17] Congratulations for making yourself and your health a priority. Thanks so much for joining us. Be sure to click subscribe or follow on your favorite podcast platform. Share us with a friend and we'll be back next week. Always remember you deserve it and you are worth it. Happy, healthy.