Is Plain unsweetened kefir, plain Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look at the source of the ingredients rather than just the nutritional numbers. When we analyze the label for Plain unsweetened kefir, plain, the verdict is immediate: it is a dairy product through and through. The primary ingredient is pasteurized whole milk. This is the liquid derived from mammals, specifically cows in the case of most commercial kefir, which makes it inherently non-vegan.

The second ingredient listed is nonfat dry milk. Manufacturers often add this to increase the protein content and thicken the texture without adding heavy cream. It essentially concentrates the dairy elements of the product. Even though the product is 'unsweetened,' the presence of these two milk ingredients disqualifies it from being vegan. The live & active cultures listed (such as Lactobacillus casei and Streptococcus diacetylactis) are bacteria used to ferment the milk into kefir; while the bacteria themselves are microscopic organisms, the medium they live in—milk—is animal-derived.

The only potential gray area in the ingredient list is pectin. Pectin is a plant-derived starch usually extracted from citrus fruits, used here as a thickening agent. However, the presence of a single plant-based additive does not make the final product vegan when the bulk of the volume is animal milk. Therefore, despite the clean label, Plain unsweetened kefir, plain is strictly vegetarian at best, but definitely not vegan.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Plain unsweetened kefir, plain is a powerhouse, but it fits into an omnivorous diet, not a vegan one. Because it is unsweetened, the carbohydrate count is low, consisting mostly of naturally occurring milk sugars (lactose). This makes it an excellent option for those monitoring their sugar intake or following a low-carb/keto diet.

In terms of macronutrients, the addition of nonfat dry milk boosts the protein content significantly compared to standard milk. It provides a complete amino acid profile, which is excellent for muscle repair and satiety. The fat content will depend on whether you choose the whole milk or low-fat version, but generally, kefir offers a good balance of fats and probiotics that support gut health. While it is nutrient-dense, it is also calorie-dense compared to water or tea, so portion control is still necessary for weight management.