Lifeway is one of the most widely sold kefir brands in the US, plain and in a long list of flavors. The figures below come from Lifeway’s own product pages and FAQ, checked in October 2026. Labels change, so the bottle in front of you wins if it disagrees.
Nutrition facts
A 1-cup (240ml) serving of Lifeway lowfat plain kefir has 110 calories, 2g fat, 9g carbohydrate, 9g sugar with 0g added, and 10g protein. It also gives 390mg calcium (30% of the daily value), 3.8mcg vitamin D (20%) and 380mg potassium.
Protein and calcium stay the same across the range. Fat and added sugar are what change:
| Lifeway kefir (1 cup) | Calories | Fat | Sugars | Added sugars | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain nonfat | 90 | 0g | 9g | 0g | 10g |
| Plain lowfat | 110 | 2g | 9g | 0g | 10g |
| Organic plain lowfat | 110 | 2g | 9g | 0g | 10g |
| Plain whole milk | 150 | 8g | 10g | 0g | 10g |
| Strawberry nonfat | 130 | 0g | 18g | 8g | 10g |
| Strawberry, blueberry or vanilla lowfat | 140 | 2g | 18g | 8g | 10g |
| Peach whole milk | 170 | 8g | 15g | 5g | 10g |
The plain bottles’ sugar is the milk’s own lactose. On the strawberry lowfat label, cane sugar is the second ingredient after milk.
Live cultures and the 12 strains
Every Lifeway product page lists “12 Live and Active Probiotic Cultures”, and the brand’s FAQ puts the count at 50 billion CFU per 8 oz serving. The milk is pasteurized first and fermented for 14 to 18 hours afterwards, so the cultures are not killed by heat after fermenting.
| Culture | Type |
|---|---|
| Lactobacillus lactis | Bacterium |
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus | Bacterium |
| Lactobacillus plantarum | Bacterium |
| Lactobacillus casei | Bacterium |
| Lactobacillus acidophilus | Bacterium |
| Lactobacillus reuteri | Bacterium |
| Streptococcus diacetylactis | Bacterium |
| Leuconostoc cremoris | Bacterium |
| Bifidobacterium longum | Bacterium |
| Bifidobacterium breve | Bacterium |
| Bifidobacterium lactis | Bacterium |
| Saccharomyces florentinus | Yeast |
Names are as Lifeway lists them. For how these groups compare with grain kefir and yogurt, see probiotic kefir.
Is Lifeway real kefir?
Traditional kefir is fermented with kefir grains, a living mass of bacteria and yeast that is strained out and reused. Lifeway’s ingredient list says “cultures”, and its FAQ names the 12 strains without saying grains are used. That makes it closer to kefir made from a defined starter culture than to grain kefir. The grains vs starter culture guide explains how the two methods differ.
It is still a fermented milk with live bacteria and a yeast. The difference is that a commercial product carries the same set strains every time, while grain kefir varies with the grains, milk and temperature.
Lactose claims
Product pages say “Lactose Intolerance Friendly”, and Lifeway’s FAQ says its products are “up to 99% lactose free”. All Lifeway products are labeled gluten free.
Watch for
- "Up to 99%" is a brand claim and a ceiling, not a figure for every bottle
- Plain kefir still lists 9–10g of sugars per cup, and that sugar comes from the milk
- If you must avoid lactose completely, check with your doctor before relying on the label
Free Kefir Ratio Reference Card (printable PDF)
A printable PDF companion for the kefir calculators and guides.
Lifeway vs. making kefir at home
Homemade kefir’s nutrition follows the milk you use. Start from that milk’s label: fermentation turns part of the lactose into acid, so the sugar ends up somewhat lower, while protein and calcium carry through. Our best milk for kefir guide compares the options.
Is it worth buying?
For live kefir without making it, plain Lifeway is a reasonable choice: 10g protein, no added sugar and 12 listed cultures in every cup. Pick plain nonfat or lowfat if sugar matters, and add your own fruit. A store-brand kefir with a similar label is a fair swap if price matters more than the brand. If you drink kefir most days, making your own is the cheapest option of all.
Keep exploring kefir
If you want to make your own, start with what are kefir grains and where to buy kefir grains, then use the milk kefir calculator for your first batch.
