Understanding What are the ingredients in Aldi friendly farms Greek yogurt?

December 8, 2025 •

3 min read

A dietitian recommends Aldi's Friendly Farms Plain Low Sugar Greek Yogurt as a top gut-healthy snack pick due to its high protein, low sugar content, and beneficial live cultures. This guide explores the ingredient lists for various Friendly Farms Greek yogurt products, from the simple plain versions to the more complex flavored varieties, to help you make informed dietary choices.

Quick Summary

Aldi's Friendly Farms Greek yogurt ingredients are not uniform and vary based on flavor and fat content, but all start with cultured pasteurized milk and contain beneficial live active cultures. Flavored versions incorporate additional ingredients like sugar, natural flavors, and thickeners, which contrast with the minimal, unsweetened plain options.

Key Points

Plain vs. Flavored: Plain varieties of Friendly Farms Greek yogurt are made with just cultured milk, and sometimes cream, plus live active cultures, while flavored versions include added sugar, natural flavors, and thickeners like pectin.
Live and Active Cultures: All Greek yogurt products from this line contain a blend of probiotics, such as Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, which are beneficial for gut health.
Check the Label: Since ingredients vary based on flavor and fat content, reviewing the specific product label is essential to know what you are consuming.
Low-Sugar Option: Aldi offers a plain, low-sugar version of Friendly Farms Greek yogurt that is frequently recommended by nutrition experts for its high protein and minimal sugar content.
Additives: Thickeners like pectin or modified food starch are used in flavored versions for texture, representing additional processing compared to the simpler, plain varieties.

A Look at the Base: Plain Friendly Farms Greek Yogurt

At the core of all Friendly Farms Greek yogurts is a base of cultured milk and beneficial bacteria. However, the specific components differ between the fat-free and whole-milk options, reflecting a difference in texture and nutritional profile.

Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt

This variety has the most straightforward ingredient list, prized by many for its simplicity and clean nutritional profile. The core ingredients are:

Cultured, Grade A Pasteurized Nonfat Milk: The primary component of the yogurt, where the fat has been removed.
Live and Active Cultures: A specific blend of beneficial bacteria added to ferment the milk and create yogurt. The cultures listed typically include Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus casei.

Plain Whole Milk Greek Yogurt

For a richer, creamier texture and higher fat content, the whole milk version includes:

Cultured Pasteurized Grade A Milk and Grade A Cream: The addition of cream distinguishes this 'whole milk' variant, increasing its fat and calorie content.
Live and Active Cultures: Similar beneficial bacterial cultures are present as in the nonfat option.

These live and active cultures are key probiotics supporting gut health and aiding digestion. The inclusion of various strains in Friendly Farms Greek yogurt suggests a broad range of potential health benefits.

Unpacking the Flavored Friendly Farms Greek Yogurt Ingredients

Flavored varieties introduce more ingredients to achieve specific tastes and textures.

Vanilla Nonfat Greek Yogurt

This version adds sweetness and flavor:

Cultured, Grade A Pasteurized Nonfat Milk: The base.
Sugar: Added for sweetness.
Vanilla Flavor and Natural Flavors: Provide the vanilla taste.
Pectin and Lemon Juice Concentrate: Pectin acts as a natural thickener, while lemon juice concentrate helps with preservation and flavor balance.
Live and Active Cultures: The probiotic blend is also included.

Key Lime Whole Milk Greek Yogurt

An example of a flavored, full-fat option with a mix of added ingredients:

Cultured Pasteurized Grade A Milk and Cream: The base.
Water and Sugar: Used for flavor and texture.
Lime Juice Concentrate: Provides the citrus flavor.
Modified Food Starch: A common thickener and stabilizer.
Natural Flavor, Fruit Juice and Turmeric (color): Add flavor and color.
Sodium Citrate and Vitamin D3: A pH regulator and a vitamin fortification.

Friendly Farms Greek Yogurt Ingredient Comparison


Ingredient	Plain Nonfat	Plain Whole Milk	Vanilla Nonfat
Milk / Cream	Cultured, Grade A Pasteurized Nonfat Milk	Cultured, Grade A Pasteurized Nonfat Milk, Grade A Cream	Cultured, Grade A Pasteurized Nonfat Milk
Added Sugar	No	No	Yes
Natural Flavors	No	No	Yes
Thickeners	No	No	Pectin, Lemon Juice Concentrate
Live Cultures	Yes	Yes	Yes
Milk Protein Conc.	No	No	No
Other Additives	No	No	Water

Interpreting the Labels: Additives and Processing

Understanding additives is crucial for those mindful of their diet. While plain yogurts are minimal, flavored ones use common processing aids.

Pectin and Modified Food Starch

Pectin is a natural gelling agent improving texture and stability. Modified food starch serves a similar role as a thickener. These indicate more processing than simple, two-ingredient plain yogurt.

Natural Flavors and Colors

Natural flavors, like vanilla, enhance taste using natural sources. Natural colors from fruit juice or turmeric, as seen in key lime, avoid artificial dyes. For fewest additives, plain options are best.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice

Knowing what are the ingredients in Aldi friendly farms Greek yogurt allows you to choose wisely. Plain Nonfat or Whole Milk are great for high protein, low sugar, and simple ingredients. Flavored options offer convenience but include added sugars and thickeners. Always check the specific product label as ingredients vary. All Friendly Farms Greek yogurts with live cultures are good probiotic sources for gut health.

EatingWell, a trusted source, recommends the plain, low-sugar version of this yogurt for gut health.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the ingredients vary significantly depending on the fat content (nonfat vs. whole milk) and whether it's plain or flavored. The plain varieties have a very simple ingredient list, while flavored ones include added sugar, flavors, and thickeners.

No, the plain varieties of Friendly Farms Greek yogurt do not contain any added sugar. Any sugar comes from naturally occurring lactose in the milk.

Friendly Farms lists cultures such as Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus casei. These are the probiotics that provide potential health benefits.

Flavored yogurts require additional ingredients like sugar, natural flavors, and thickeners (such as pectin or cornstarch) to achieve their desired taste and texture, which is not necessary for the plain yogurt.

Some low-sugar versions, such as the vanilla, might use a natural sweetener like steviol glycoside (derived from stevia). However, the Plain Low Sugar Greek Yogurt contains no added sugar, with sweetness only coming from naturally occurring lactose.

Yes, all Friendly Farms Greek yogurts include live active cultures, which provide beneficial probiotics that are good for gut health.

The plain whole milk version includes Grade A cream in its ingredients, whereas the nonfat version does not. This results in a richer, creamier yogurt with a higher fat and calorie content.