Whole30 Yogurt: Can I Have Yogurt on Whole30?

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Since yogurt is made from dairy, and dairy is banned from Whole30, yogurt is not allowed on Whole30.

However, that’s when it comes to traditional cow-milk yogurt. There are some forms of yogurt that are allowed on Whole30, although they are not common and can be tough to find.

Coconut yogurt is one option – that’s yogurt made with coconut milk rather than animal milk. Almond milk-based yogurts are another option. Even then, we’re still talking only yogurt with no sugar, which is pretty darn uncommon. You might get lucky and stumble upon some at a health food store, but sugar-free, compliant coconut or almond yogurt is quite the rare beast indeed.

There’s another reason while yogurt – even sugar-free coconut or almond-based yogurt – is not considered a great choice on Whole30 (even while technically being ingredient-compliant).

You see, one of Whole30’s big lessons is learning how to feed your body good, nutritious food and abandoning unhealthy eating habits we’ve established in the past.

The issue is that many folks get into the habit of a fruit and greek yogurt breakfast. Using almond or coconut-based yogurt is a way to clutch to those old, pre-established breakfast routines. Instead, Whole30 wants eaters to rely on a more hefty, protein-based breakfast composed of eggs and meat (ideally along with always-awesome veggies of course).

Yogurt is simply a bad breakfast habit that Whole would rather have you abandon in favor of a more filling, robust breakfast.

Still, if you’re in desperate need of yogurt, there are coconut and almond versions that are compliant – if you can manage to find them.

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about the author:
Meg Mars
Meg is a writer who is passionate about healthy eating. From Whole30 and South Beach Diet, to paleo and intermittent fasting, she's experimented with several healthy eating regiments and is passionate about helping readers find the perfect food plan match for their lifestyles.

5 thoughts on “Whole30 Yogurt: Can I Have Yogurt on Whole30?”

  1. I know this is an old post, but I wanted to weigh in. I have to be at work early and have always used plain Coyo coconut yogurt or Lavva plant yogurt (both Whole30 compliant). with a handful of nuts and berries for breakfast several days a week. I can have it all ready the night before and toss in the nuts on my way out the door and have a nice relaxed, healthy breakfast loaded with protein when I get to work. It is way more nuts and berries than yogurt and I definitely have to chew it. Why is this not a recommend Whole30 breakfast? I’m not switching from dairy, I’ve always had plant-based plain yogurt, so I’m not “tricking” my brain. Thoughts?

    Reply
    • What about yogurt as an ingredient in a curry based recipe? Seems like a non-dairy yogurt is the way to go. Also, re: comment before. Non-dairy yogurt might be preferable to a sweet potato porridge for people also navigating glycemic index. I’ve changed much of my diet to accommodate less sugar. I’m not diabetic, however, minimizing sugar spikes helps most people.

      Reply
  2. Please help – Any updates on this one? Specifically trying to find out if Kite Hill’s plain unsweetened almond milk yogurt is Whole30 compliant. I can’t find any direct answers. I know KH is now a whole30 partner, but the general answer on the W30 site is “sometimes!” which helps not at all. I know about the ricotta and the cream cheese, but I don’t eat those. Specifically trying to figure out this ONE product: Kite Hill PLAIN UNSWEETENED almond milk yogurt.

    Reply

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