Lifeway Kefir Nutrition

Kefir is a fermented milk drink which originally comes from the Caucasus mountain range between the Black and Caspian seas. Lifeway Kefir is a product of the company, Lifeway Foods, which is the leading manufacturer of kefir in the United States. Lifeway Kefir has a smooth, creamy texture and a flavor similar to yogurt. Lifeway Kefir is a source of protein, vitamin D, vitamin A and calcium.

Lifeway Kefir is a source of protein, vitamins and minerals. (Image: dulezidar/iStock/Getty Images)

Description

Ingredients in Lifeway Kefir include pasteurized cultured milk, nonfat milk, vitamin D3, and vitamin A palmitate. Lifeway Kefir is cultured with 10 strains of bacteria and a pair of exclusive Lifeway probiotics. A serving of Lifeway Kefir is 1 cup, or 8 oz., which provides 150 calories. Lifeway also produces a variety of flavored, low-fat and organic kefir products.

Macronutrients

A 1 cup serving of Lifeway Kefir provides 2g of total fat, 12g of carbohydrate, 11g of protein and 10mg of cholesterol. The type of protein in kefir is a complete protein, meaning it provides all nine essential amino acids. Adults should consume between 46 and 56g of protein daily and 20 to 35g of fat daily, recommends the National Academies' Institute of Medicine.

Vitamins

Lifeway Kefir is a good source of vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin essential for the absorption of calcium and necessary for the maintenance of blood calcium and phosphorus levels. One cup of Lifeway Kefir provides 25 percent of the recommended daily amount of vitamin D. Lifeway Kefir also provides vitamin A, a vitamin essential for growth and development and eye health.

Minerals

Lifeway Kefir provides calcium, a mineral necessary for muscle contraction and tooth and bone formation. One cup of Lifeway Kefir provides 30 percent of the recommended daily amount of calcium. Adults need 1,000mg of calcium daily.

Probiotics

Lifeway Kefir contains probiotics, which are live microorganism similar to those found in the human gut and which offer a variety of health benefits. According to MayoClinic.com, probiotics help with diarrhea, lactose intolerance, prevent yeast infections, prevent eczema in children and treat irritable bowel syndrome. One cup of Lifeway Kefir provides 12 different live and active probiotic cultures.