Low-Fat Dairy Guide

16 items classified under standard Low-Fat guidelines.

Low-Fat classifies foods based on total fat content per serving. Of the 16 dairy evaluated, 0 are classified as Allowed, 12 as Limited, and 4 as Not Allowed.

Quick Reference

Food Status Total fat (per 100g)
Buttermilk Limited 0.9g
Cheese Limited 28.6g
Cottage Cheese Limited 9.7g
Feta Limited 21.5g
Goat Cheese Limited 3g
Ice Cream Limited 8.6g
Mac and Cheese Limited 15g
Milk Limited 2.1g
Mozzarella Limited 0g
Parmesan Limited 5g
Ricotta Limited 10.2g
Yogurt Limited 1g
Brie Not Allowed 27.7g
Cheddar Not Allowed 33.8g
Swiss Cheese Not Allowed 21.2g
Whipped Cream Not Allowed 22.2g

Classification Breakdown

12 Limited — These items have fat content that varies by preparation or brand. 4 Not Allowed — These are high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets.

Modern low-fat practice distinguishes between fat types — olive oil, fatty fish, and nuts are often kept.

Limited Dairy (12)

Buttermilk

Limited

At 0.9g total fat per 100g, Buttermilk falls into the Limited category under Low-Fat guidelines. This means it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. Among the 16 items in this category, buttermilk sits at the low end for total fat — next closest is Yogurt at 1g. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

40kcalCalories
3.3gProtein
0.9gFat
4.8gCarbs
0.5gSat. Fat

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Cheese

Limited

With 28.6g total fat per 100g, Cheese earns a Limited classification on Low-Fat. It is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. Beyond the primary classification, cheese also provides 7.1g protein and 28.6g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for total fat. The nearest lower option is Brie at 27.7g. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSat. Fat
Cheddar409kcal23.3g34g2.4g19.2g
Mozzarella299kcal22.2g22.1g2.4g13.9g
Swiss393kcal27g31g1.4g18.2g

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Cottage Cheese

Limited

Cottage Cheese is classified as Limited on Low-Fat, with 9.7g total fat per 100g. This means it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. It also contains 11g protein and 9.7g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Ice Cream and Ricotta for total fat, ranking 8 of 16. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSat. Fat
Full-Fat (4%)103kcal11.6g4.2g4.6g2.6g
Low-Fat (1%)72kcal12.4g1g2.7g0.6g

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Feta

Limited

With 21.5g total fat per 100g, Feta earns a Limited classification on Low-Fat. This means it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. It also contains 14.2g protein and 21.5g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Swiss Cheese and Whipped Cream for total fat, ranking 12 of 16. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

265kcalCalories
14.2gProtein
21.5gFat
3.9gCarbs
13.3gSat. Fat

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Goat Cheese

Limited

With 3g total fat per 100g, Goat Cheese earns a Limited classification on Low-Fat. It is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. Beyond the primary classification, goat cheese also provides 26.9g protein and 392mg sodium per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Milk and Parmesan for total fat, ranking 5 of 16. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

142kcalCalories
26.9gProtein
3gFat
0gCarbs
0.9gSat. Fat

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Ice Cream

Limited

At 8.6g total fat per 100g, Ice Cream falls into the Limited category under Low-Fat guidelines. The classification reflects that it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. Nutritionally, it also delivers 8.6g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Parmesan and Cottage Cheese for total fat, ranking 7 of 16. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

237kcalCalories
4.3gProtein
8.6gFat
37.1gCarbs
2.3gSat. Fat

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Mac and Cheese

Limited

Mac and Cheese is classified as Limited on Low-Fat, with 15g total fat per 100g. The classification reflects that it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. Nutritionally, it also delivers 11.8g protein and 15g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Ricotta and Swiss Cheese for total fat, ranking 10 of 16. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

257kcalCalories
11.8gProtein
15gFat
20.1gCarbs
3.8gSat. Fat

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Milk

Limited

With 2.1g total fat per 100g, Milk earns a Limited classification on Low-Fat. This means it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. Among the 16 items in this category, milk sits at the low end for total fat — next closest is Goat Cheese at 3g. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSat. Fat
Whole Milk60kcal3.3g3.2g4.6g1.9g
2% Milk50kcal3.3g2g4.8g1.3g
Skim Milk35kcal3.4g0.2g4.9g0.1g

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Mozzarella

Limited

Mozzarella is classified as Limited on Low-Fat, with 0g total fat per 100g. The classification reflects that it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. Nutritionally, it also delivers 31.7g protein and 743mg sodium per serving. Among the 16 items in this category, mozzarella sits at the low end for total fat — next closest is Buttermilk at 0.9g. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

141kcalCalories
31.7gProtein
0gFat
3.5gCarbs
0gSat. Fat

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Parmesan

Limited

Parmesan is classified as Limited on Low-Fat, with 5g total fat per 100g. The classification reflects that it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. Nutritionally, it also delivers 40g protein and 1150mg sodium per serving. Within this category, it falls between Goat Cheese and Ice Cream for total fat, ranking 6 of 16. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

370kcalCalories
40gProtein
5gFat
40gCarbs
3.1gSat. Fat

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Ricotta

Limited

Ricotta is classified as Limited on Low-Fat, with 10.2g total fat per 100g. This means it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. It also contains 7.5g protein and 10.2g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Cottage Cheese and Mac and Cheese for total fat, ranking 9 of 16. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

150kcalCalories
7.5gProtein
10.2gFat
7.3gCarbs
6.4gSat. Fat

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Yogurt

Limited

At 1g total fat per 100g, Yogurt falls into the Limited category under Low-Fat guidelines. This means it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. Among the 16 items in this category, yogurt sits at the low end for total fat — next closest is Milk at 2.1g. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSat. Fat
Plain Whole Milk Yogurt61kcal3.5g3.3g4.7g2.1g
Plain Low-Fat Yogurt63kcal5.3g1.6g7g1g
Plain Nonfat Yogurt56kcal5.7g0.2g7.7g0.1g

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Not Allowed Dairy (4)

Brie

Not Allowed

Brie is classified as Not Allowed on Low-Fat, with 27.7g total fat per 100g. This means it is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. It also contains 20.8g protein and 27.7g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for total fat. The nearest lower option is Whipped Cream at 22.2g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

334kcalCalories
20.8gProtein
27.7gFat
0.5gCarbs
17.4gSat. Fat

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Cheddar

Not Allowed

At 33.8g total fat per 100g, Cheddar falls into the Not Allowed category under Low-Fat guidelines. It is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. Beyond the primary classification, cheddar also provides 24.2g protein and 33.8g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for total fat. The nearest lower option is Cheese at 28.6g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

410kcalCalories
24.2gProtein
33.8gFat
2.1gCarbs
19.4gSat. Fat

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Swiss Cheese

Not Allowed

At 21.2g total fat per 100g, Swiss Cheese falls into the Not Allowed category under Low-Fat guidelines. The classification reflects that it is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. Nutritionally, it also delivers 16.4g protein and 21.2g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Mac and Cheese and Feta for total fat, ranking 11 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

290kcalCalories
16.4gProtein
21.2gFat
8.7gCarbs
13.3gSat. Fat

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Whipped Cream

Not Allowed

At 22.2g total fat per 100g, Whipped Cream falls into the Not Allowed category under Low-Fat guidelines. The classification reflects that it is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. Nutritionally, it also delivers 22.2g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for total fat. The nearest lower option is Feta at 21.5g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

257kcalCalories
3.2gProtein
22.2gFat
12.5gCarbs
13.8gSat. Fat

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