You’ve tasted LMNT. You like the idea of salt, electrolytes, and not having an endless list of ingredients.
But you are in Canada. The product is ordered in US dollars and shipping fees add up fast.
So you’re wondering if something else exists.
Something closer to home, in Canadian dollars, with ingredients you recognize.
There is an honest answer to that question, and it isn't "yes, it’s the same." We compared LMNT Recharge to Maple MC2, ingredient by ingredient. Here is what we found about the natural alternative to LMNT in Canada.
The verdict on the natural alternative to LMNT
These two products do not do the same job.
LMNT is salt and electrolytes, with no sugar. One stick provides 1,000 mg of sodium and zero sugar to fuel exertion. It is designed for people who avoid carbohydrates or who lose a lot of salt through sweating.
Maple MC2 is energy and electrolytes. One sachet provides 28g of carbohydrates from maple syrup and 414 mg of electrolytes. It is designed to support a workout.
If your goal is absolute zero sugar, LMNT better meets your need. If your goal is to hydrate and have energy during exertion with a Quebec-made product, Maple MC2 better meets that need.
The rest of the article explains why, with numbers to back it up.
The criteria that matter
We selected 6 criteria to compare the two without bias:
- Sodium and other electrolytes per serving
- Sugar and carbohydrates
- Ingredients: what is actually in the sachet
- Price and how to obtain it in Canada
- Intended use, depending on your sport and diet
- Origin of the product
Comparison table
| Criterion | Maple MC2 | LMNT Recharge |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 30g sachet | 6g stick |
| Sodium | 273 mg | 1,000 mg |
| Potassium | 94 mg | 200 mg |
| Magnesium | 15 mg | 60 mg |
| Calcium | 47 mg | 0 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 28g (including 14g of sugars) | Zero sugar |
| Calories | 110 kcal | 5 kcal |
| Ingredients (base flavor) | Maple syrup, salt, freeze-dried fruit, natural flavors | Salt, citric acid, magnesium malate, potassium chloride, natural flavors, stevia leaf extract |
| Price | $2.79 per sachet, $29.99 for a box of 12 | $45 US for a box of 30 sticks, or $1.50 US each |
| Origin | Saint-Ours, Quebec, Canada | Kansas, United States |
| Certifications | Gluten-free, vegan, organic maple syrup | Gluten-free, vegan, paleo and keto-friendly according to the brand |
LMNT data comes from their official website. Ours comes from the label on our sachets.
Salt, the real difference
Look at the sodium row.
1,000 mg vs. 273 mg.
An LMNT stick contains nearly four times more sodium than a Maple MC2 sachet. This isn't a detail; it's the product's philosophy. LMNT says it themselves: they have more salt, not less.
Who is this useful for?
- People who sweat a lot,
- who train for long periods in the heat, or
- who follow a low-carb diet, where the body eliminates more salt.
For a daily workout, it's more than what the majority of people need. Health Canada recommends aiming for about 1,500 mg of sodium per day, without exceeding 2,300 mg.
A single stick already represents two-thirds of that recommended intake.
Key Takeaway
LMNT provides plenty of sodium and no sugar. Maple MC2 provides a moderate intake of electrolytes—414 mg total including sodium, potassium, and calcium—plus 28g of carbohydrates.
If you want a better understanding of what these minerals do, our article on the benefits of natural electrolytes in sports details the role of each.
Zero sugar or natural carbohydrates
LMNT chose to remove all sugar. The flavors are sweetened with stevia leaf extract.
Maple MC2 made the opposite choice.
The carbohydrates are there on purpose, because they fuel exertion. They come from maple syrup—a single food item, with no artificial coloring or sweeteners.
During an effort of 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, your muscles use carbohydrates. A sugar-free drink hydrates and replaces salt, but it does not give you fuel.
If you run, cycle, or lift weights, those 28g per sachet are part of the value.
If you are avoiding carbohydrates for dietary reasons, that is exactly what you don't want.
The right choice therefore depends on your diet before it depends on the brand.
If you want to see how maple syrup compares to other carbohydrate sources, read our article on maple syrup and sports nutrition.
Ingredients side by side
LMNT, citrus flavor:
- Salt
- Citric acid
- Magnesium malate
- Potassium chloride
- Natural lemon and lime flavors
- Stevia leaf extract
Maple MC2:
- Maple syrup
- Salt
- Freeze-dried fruit
- Natural flavors
Both lists are short and readable.
Neither one contains any coloring.
This is one point where LMNT and Maple MC2 are similar.
The difference is the source.
With LMNT, the taste comes from acids and stevia.
With Maple MC2, the taste and energy come from maple syrup from the Ferme St-Ours in the Montérégie region.
The maple syrup we use is certified organic. The finished drink is not, because the other ingredients are not covered by the certification.
How to read an electrolyte drink label
Before choosing any brand, take 30 seconds to check five things. It keeps you from comparing products that shouldn't be measured the same way.
- Serving size. A 6g stick and a 30g sachet cannot be compared by gram, only by serving.
- Sodium per serving, not per 100g. This is the number that counts for your workout.
- Carbohydrates and sugars. They tell you if the product is aimed at energy or just salt.
- Type of sweetener. Natural sugar, stevia extract, or other—it's a personal choice, but it must be listed.
- Price per serving. Divide the box price by the number of servings before making up your mind.
With this grid, the comparison becomes simple. You see right away that LMNT and Maple MC2 don't occupy the same space.
If you want to go further, our guide on the best natural electrolyte drinks in Canada applies the same grid to several brands.
Try the three flavors
Maple, Maple-Blueberry, Maple-Peach. 12 sachets to find your favorite.
Discovery Box | $29.99The price of an alternative to LMNT in Canada
On the official LMNT website, a box of 30 sticks sells for $45 US, or $1.50 US per stick. The price drops to $1.13 US with the 120-pack.
Shipping to Canada is free on purchases of $100 US or more. Below that, fees vary by destination. You can also find LMNT at some Canadian retailers, such as Costco and Amazon, whose prices change over time.
At Maple MC2, a sachet costs $2.79 and a box of 12 sells for $29.99, or $2.50 per sachet. With a subscription, the box drops to $26.99, or $2.25 per sachet.
Shipping is free in Quebec for orders of $50 or more, and the product departs from Saint-Ours within 24 business hours.
Regarding price per unit, LMNT is not cheaper.
What changes is what you get for that price: salt without sugar on one side, energy and electrolytes on the other. And Canadian dollars simplify the calculation.
Which to choose for what kind of effort?
Think about your week rather than the brand.
- 30- to 90-minute workout, moderate temperature: carbohydrates and a moderate salt intake are sufficient. Maple MC2 covers this need.
- Long workout in high heat, with lots of salty sweat: a higher sodium intake can make sense. LMNT is designed for this, provided you have another source of carbohydrates.
- Low-carb diet or fasting: LMNT fits better, since Maple MC2 provides 14g of sugar per sachet.
- Gym training, CrossFit, hot yoga: both can work. Maple MC2 provides the energy, LMNT only provides the salt.
You can also combine the two. Some athletes drink a carbohydrate beverage during exertion and add salt separately when needed. It is not an exclusive choice.
To avoid cramps, our article on muscle cramps in sports explains what science says about salt and hydration.
Who should choose what?
Choose LMNT if...
- You follow a low-carb or ketogenic diet
- You want zero sugar and you are okay with a stevia-sweetened taste
- You sweat a lot and want a high dose of sodium
- You are already ordering from the US or from a Canadian retailer that sells it
Choose Maple MC2 if...
- You want energy and hydration in the same sachet
- You prefer a natural carbohydrate source: maple syrup
- You want a product made in Quebec, paid for in Canadian dollars
- You train regularly without aiming for a massive salt intake
Find the entire collection here.
How to use Maple MC2 daily
Before the workout
One sachet in 500 ml of water, about 15 to 20 minutes before starting. This is the simplest starting point.
During the workout
A more energizing alternative to LMNT...
For a 60- to 90-minute session, take a second sachet to prepare halfway through. The sachet format fits into a running pocket or bike bag.
It dissolves just as well in cold water as in room-temperature water. A slight residue at the bottom of the shaker is normal with maple syrup.
After the workout
A sachet replaces some of the lost electrolytes and boosts your carbohydrate stores. This is not a recovery drink with protein: if you want to rebuild muscle, add a source of protein as well.
Our article on what to drink after a workout details the options based on the effort.
How Maple MC2 compares to other options
LMNT isn't the only brand we compare. Each product meets a different need, and we wrote an article for each.
- Do you use effervescent tablets? Read our article on Nuun Sport.
- Are you looking for a powder for daily hydration? Compare the 11 options in our guide on the best hydration powders in Canada.
- Do you want to see the whole Canadian market? Our ranking puts brands side by side in the guide to natural electrolyte drinks in Canada.
Why Maple MC2?
Maple MC2 is maple syrup from the Ferme St-Ours in the Montérégie region, transformed into a sports drink.
414 mg of electrolytes per sachet: 273 mg of sodium, 94 mg of potassium, and 47 mg of calcium. Plus 15 mg of magnesium, which is not included in that total.
110 calories, 28g of carbohydrates, gluten-free, vegan. A product from Quebec, prepared in seconds.
And at $2.50 per sachet, you can hydrate during every workout without doing math in US dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LMNT sold in Canada?
How much sodium is in an LMNT stick?
Is Maple MC2 an equivalent alternative to LMNT?
Is there sugar in LMNT?
What should I choose if I want zero sugar?
Is Maple MC2 really organic?
How much sodium per day is safe during training?
Where is Maple MC2 made?
In summary
On one side, LMNT: salt and electrolytes without sugar, ordered in US dollars, designed for low-carb diets and heavy sweating.
On the other, Maple MC2: energy and electrolytes based on maple syrup, made in Quebec, designed for daily training.
Try the Discovery Box which includes 3 flavors with 12 sachets to find the one that becomes your routine.
