Whole-Food Dairy Guide

16 items classified under standard Whole-Food guidelines.

How do dairy fare on the Whole-Food diet? The answer depends on processing level. This guide breaks down all 16 items in this category with their classification, nutritional data, and the reasoning behind each status.

Quick Reference

Food Status Calories (per 100g)
Buttermilk Allowed 40kcal
Cottage Cheese Allowed 148kcal
Milk Allowed 52kcal
Yogurt Allowed 81kcal
Brie Limited 334kcal
Cheddar Limited 410kcal
Cheese Limited 295kcal
Feta Limited 265kcal
Goat Cheese Limited 142kcal
Ice Cream Limited 237kcal
Mac and Cheese Limited 257kcal
Mozzarella Limited 141kcal
Parmesan Limited 370kcal
Ricotta Limited 150kcal
Swiss Cheese Limited 290kcal
Whipped Cream Limited 257kcal

Classification Breakdown

4 Allowed — These dairy are minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. 12 Limited — These items have moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions.

The target is NOVA group 4 — ultra-processed foods built from extracted components and additives.

Allowed Dairy (4)

Buttermilk

Allowed

Buttermilk is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 40kcal calories per 100g. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Among the 16 items in this category, buttermilk sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Milk at 52kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

40kcalCalories
3.3gProtein
0.9gFat
4.8gCarbs
0gFiber

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Cottage Cheese

Allowed

With 148kcal calories per 100g, Cottage Cheese earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 11g protein and 9.7g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Goat Cheese and Ricotta for calories, ranking 6 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Full-Fat (4%)103kcal11.6g4.2g4.6g0g
Low-Fat (1%)72kcal12.4g1g2.7g0g

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Milk

Allowed

With 52kcal calories per 100g, Milk earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Among the 16 items in this category, milk sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Yogurt at 81kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Whole Milk60kcal3.3g3.2g4.6g
2% Milk50kcal3.3g2g4.8g0g
Skim Milk35kcal3.4g0.2g4.9g0g

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Yogurt

Allowed

At 81kcal calories per 100g, Yogurt falls into the Allowed category under Whole-Food guidelines. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Among the 16 items in this category, yogurt sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Mozzarella at 141kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Plain Whole Milk Yogurt61kcal3.5g3.3g4.7g0g
Plain Low-Fat Yogurt63kcal5.3g1.6g7g0g
Plain Nonfat Yogurt56kcal5.7g0.2g7.7g0g

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Limited Dairy (12)

Brie

Limited

With 334kcal calories per 100g, Brie earns a Limited classification on Whole-Food. This means it is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. 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 calories. The nearest lower option is Cheese at 295kcal. 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

334kcalCalories
20.8gProtein
27.7gFat
0.5gCarbs
0gFiber

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Cheddar

Limited

At 410kcal calories per 100g, Cheddar falls into the Limited category under Whole-Food guidelines. It is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. 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 calories. The nearest lower option is Parmesan at 370kcal. 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

410kcalCalories
24.2gProtein
33.8gFat
2.1gCarbs
0gFiber

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Cheese

Limited

Cheese is classified as Limited on Whole-Food, with 295kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. Nutritionally, it also delivers 7.1g protein and 28.6g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Swiss Cheese at 290kcal. 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

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Cheddar409kcal23.3g34g2.4g0g
Mozzarella299kcal22.2g22.1g2.4g0g
Swiss393kcal27g31g1.4g

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Feta

Limited

Feta is classified as Limited on Whole-Food, with 265kcal calories per 100g. This means it is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. It also contains 14.2g protein and 21.5g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Whipped Cream and Swiss Cheese for calories, ranking 11 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

265kcalCalories
14.2gProtein
21.5gFat
3.9gCarbs
0gFiber

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Goat Cheese

Limited

At 142kcal calories per 100g, Goat Cheese falls into the Limited category under Whole-Food guidelines. The classification reflects that it is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. Nutritionally, it also delivers 26.9g protein and 392mg sodium per serving. Within this category, it falls between Mozzarella and Cottage Cheese for calories, ranking 5 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

142kcalCalories
26.9gProtein
3gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Ice Cream

Limited

At 237kcal calories per 100g, Ice Cream falls into the Limited category under Whole-Food guidelines. It is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. Beyond the primary classification, ice cream also provides 8.6g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Ricotta and Mac and Cheese for calories, ranking 8 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
0gFiber

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Mac and Cheese

Limited

With 257kcal calories per 100g, Mac and Cheese earns a Limited classification on Whole-Food. It is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. Beyond the primary classification, mac and cheese also provides 11.8g protein and 15g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Ice Cream and Whipped Cream for calories, ranking 9 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

257kcalCalories
11.8gProtein
15gFat
20.1gCarbs
1.6gFiber

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Mozzarella

Limited

With 141kcal calories per 100g, Mozzarella earns a Limited classification on Whole-Food. This means it is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. It also contains 31.7g protein and 743mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 16 items in this category, mozzarella sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Goat Cheese at 142kcal. 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

141kcalCalories
31.7gProtein
0gFat
3.5gCarbs
1.8gFiber

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Parmesan

Limited

Parmesan is classified as Limited on Whole-Food, with 370kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. Nutritionally, it also delivers 40g protein and 1150mg sodium per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Brie at 334kcal. 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

370kcalCalories
40gProtein
5gFat
40gCarbs
0gFiber

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Ricotta

Limited

At 150kcal calories per 100g, Ricotta falls into the Limited category under Whole-Food guidelines. It is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. Beyond the primary classification, ricotta also provides 7.5g protein and 10.2g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Cottage Cheese and Ice Cream for calories, 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

150kcalCalories
7.5gProtein
10.2gFat
7.3gCarbs
0gFiber

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Swiss Cheese

Limited

At 290kcal calories per 100g, Swiss Cheese falls into the Limited category under Whole-Food guidelines. The classification reflects that it is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. Nutritionally, it also delivers 16.4g protein and 21.2g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Feta and Cheese for calories, 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

290kcalCalories
16.4gProtein
21.2gFat
8.7gCarbs
0gFiber

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Whipped Cream

Limited

At 257kcal calories per 100g, Whipped Cream falls into the Limited category under Whole-Food guidelines. The classification reflects that it is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. Nutritionally, it also delivers 22.2g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Mac and Cheese and Feta for calories, 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
3.2gProtein
22.2gFat
12.5gCarbs
0gFiber

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