How many calories are in 250 grams of homemade yogurt?

November 11, 2025 •

3 min read

On average, 250 grams of plain, homemade yogurt made with whole milk contains approximately 150-170 calories. Knowing how many calories are in 250 grams of homemade yogurt depends heavily on the specific type of milk and any extra ingredients you incorporate during the process.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for 250g of plain homemade yogurt is primarily determined by the milk's fat content, ranging from around 120 calories for low-fat to over 170 for full-fat milk versions. Straining it to create Greek yogurt also significantly impacts the final caloric density per gram.

Key Points

Milk Type is Key: The fat content of your milk is the primary determinant of the final calorie count in homemade yogurt, with whole milk yielding higher calories than skim milk.
Fermentation Has Little Effect on Total Calories: The bacteria in the starter culture convert lactose to lactic acid but do not significantly change the overall caloric energy of the yogurt.
Greek Yogurt is Calorie-Dense: Straining homemade yogurt removes whey, concentrating the remaining fat and protein. This results in a higher calorie count per gram for Greek-style yogurt.
Additions Matter: Ingredients like honey, sugar, and fruit add extra calories. For accurate tracking, these must be included in your calculations.
Precision is Possible: You can calculate your homemade yogurt's calories by totaling the calories of your starting ingredients and dividing by the total weight of your finished product.
Control Your Diet: Making your own yogurt allows you to avoid the added sugars and thickeners that often increase the calorie count of store-bought versions.

Understanding the Variables Affecting Homemade Yogurt Calories

The most significant factor influencing the calorie count of homemade yogurt is the type of milk you use. Since the fermentation process converts some lactose into lactic acid but doesn't dramatically alter the total energy, the final calorie total is very similar to the caloric content of the milk you start with. Any additions like sweeteners, fruits, or flavorings will add to this baseline. Additionally, if you strain your yogurt to make a thicker, Greek-style product, you will concentrate the remaining calories, resulting in a much higher calorie density per gram.

Milk Type and Calorie Breakdown

Your milk selection is the foundation of your yogurt's nutritional profile. Using whole milk will result in a higher calorie and fat count, while using skim or low-fat milk produces a lighter, less caloric product. To get an estimate, consider the calorie content of your starting milk and adjust for the final yield. For a simple, plain homemade yogurt, the final calorie count per 250 grams will closely reflect the original milk's nutrition facts.

The Impact of Straining for Greek Yogurt

Straining yogurt is a key step for making a thicker, higher-protein product, but it also concentrates the calories. When you strain yogurt, you remove the watery whey, along with some lactose. This leaves behind a denser product with a higher concentration of fat and protein per gram, increasing the calorie count. For example, 250 grams of homemade, plain, whole-milk Greek yogurt could contain well over 300 calories, far more than the unstrained version.

Additions and Their Caloric Contribution

While the base of plain homemade yogurt is simple, many people add extra ingredients for flavor. It is crucial to account for the calories from these additions when calculating your final total.

Honey or Maple Syrup: A single tablespoon can add 60-70 calories.
Sugar: Each teaspoon adds about 16 calories.
Fruits: Depending on the type and quantity, fresh fruit can add anywhere from 30 to over 100 calories per serving.
Nuts and Seeds: These are calorie-dense and can quickly increase the total.

Comparison: 250g Homemade Yogurt Varieties

The following table illustrates the approximate nutritional differences in 250-gram servings of homemade yogurt, assuming no additional flavorings or sweeteners are added.


Yogurt Type	Calories (Approx.)	Fat (Approx.)	Protein (Approx.)
Whole Milk Yogurt	150-170 kcal	8-9 g	8-10 g
Low-Fat Yogurt	120-140 kcal	4-5 g	12-14 g
Skim Milk Yogurt	~100-110 kcal	<1 g	13-15 g
Whole Milk Greek Yogurt	~350 kcal	~25 g	~20 g

How to Calculate Calories in Your Own Homemade Batch

For precise tracking, a simple calculation can help you determine the caloric content of your homemade yogurt. Since the calorie count is based on your ingredients, you can find your final value by tracking the milk and any add-ins.

Find the milk's nutrition: Read the nutrition label on your milk carton for the calories per serving (e.g., per cup). Then, calculate the total calories for the entire volume of milk you are using.
Add starter and other ingredients: The starter culture adds a negligible amount of calories. However, if you add any sugar, honey, or fruit, calculate and add their total calories to the milk's value.
Account for straining: If you make Greek yogurt, you will lose some volume (mostly whey) but retain the fat and protein, concentrating the calories. Weigh your final product and divide the total calories by the total grams to get a precise value per gram or serving.
Consider this resource: For more general guidance on yogurt nutrition, a resource like Harvard University's Nutrition Source can be helpful.

The Health Benefits and Flexibility of Homemade Yogurt

Making your own yogurt offers several advantages beyond controlling the calorie count. You can completely avoid added sugars, artificial flavors, and thickeners often found in commercial products, ensuring you are consuming a purer, more natural food. The probiotic content also tends to be higher and more active, benefiting gut health directly. You can customize the thickness, tang, and flavor profile to your liking, experimenting with everything from full-fat creamy yogurt to low-fat Greek varieties.

Conclusion

To determine how many calories are in 250 grams of homemade yogurt, start with the calories of your base milk. The final count will vary significantly depending on whether you use whole milk, low-fat milk, or a non-fat alternative. The straining process used for Greek yogurt also plays a major role by concentrating the calories. By calculating the total caloric content from all your ingredients, you can easily find an accurate estimate for your personalized homemade yogurt.

Frequently Asked Questions

For plain, unstrained homemade yogurt, the calories range from approximately 100-110 kcal (skim milk) to 150-170 kcal (whole milk) per 250 grams. The exact number depends on your ingredients.

No, the small amount of starter culture used to make yogurt adds a negligible number of calories to the final product. The vast majority of calories come from the milk.

No, the bacteria consume some lactose, but this doesn't create a major calorie reduction. The energy is simply reconfigured, so the overall calorie count remains very close to the starting milk.

Straining removes watery whey, which concentrates the remaining fat and protein. This process makes Greek-style yogurt, which has a higher calorie density per gram than unstrained yogurt.

A Greek-style yogurt made from whole milk will have the highest calories per gram due to the concentration of fats and proteins from straining.

Homemade plain yogurt has a similar calorie count to store-bought plain versions. However, homemade yogurt is generally lower in calories than sweetened or flavored store-bought yogurts, which often contain significant added sugars.

To get a precise number, add up the total calories of all ingredients (milk, starter, sweeteners, etc.) and divide by the total final weight of your finished batch.