Yogurt starter cultures recommended for SCD & GAPS

FIND OUT WHERE TO PURCHASE FREEZE DRIED STARTER CULTURE & WHICH COMMERCIAL YOGURT TO USE TO MAKE HOMEMADE YOGURT.

The bacteria necessary in a traditional yogurt starter are: Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophiles - Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria may also be added. The combination of these strains makes a culture that will produce a yogurt with a thick, smooth, creamy consistency and a mild tart flavour. In additional to these primary strains other beneficial strains may also be included in a culture.

This list was compiled to help our SCD & GAPS customers, however the product recommendations are for all yogurt lovers - first timers and veterans and you definitely don't need to be on a special diet to enjoy them! All of the cultures listed are guaranteed to make thick, set yogurt in the Luvele range of Yogurt Makers. For inspiration browse all of our yogurt recipes here. 

YOGURT STARTER CULTURE FOR 'SCD' 

The original Specific Carbohydrate Diet, from the book ‘Breaking the Vicious Cycle - Intestinal health through diet’, calls for a yogurt starter that does not contain Bifidus Bifidum bacteria because it can ‘take over’ and cause health problems in some cases. While on the early stages of the diet, it is best to avoid anything that has ‘bifid’ in its name. e.g. Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus Bifidus, Bifidobacterium longum etc

SCD FREEZE DRIED STARTER CULTURE

CULTURE CUPBOARD THICK & CREAMY YOGURT STARTER 

Sold at their website

STRAINS: Streptococcus Thermophilus, Lactobacillus Delbrueckii Subsp. Bulgaricus
MAKES: Available in boxes of 6. Each sachet makes 2 litres of yogurt.
STORAGE: Sachets are divided in two sections of 5 grams and packed in sealed double-layered envelopes for long-lasting quality.
FREE FROM:  Additives, maltodextrin, gluten and GMO

 

GI PRO START

Sold online via GAPS Australia website

STRAINS: Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophiles, Casei
MAKES: 1 bottle makes up to 80 Litres of yogurt
INSTRUCTIONS: Add 1/8 of a teaspoon to 2 litres (or 2 quarts) cow or goat milk.  Alternative milk requires a 1/4 teaspoon to make a non-dairy milk yogurt.
FREE FROM: Dairy, gluten and common allergens.
DAIRY FREE DISCLAIMER: “The highest quality and pure LAB cultures are used in this formula. The yogurt strains are recognized to have exposure to some dairy peptones (broken down molecular structures) during their fermentation. The final culture is filtered and has less then detectable levels of dairy proteins. Considered dairy-free yogurt based on the standards established in the nutritional industry.”
STORAGE: GI ProStart does have to stay refrigerated to keep the bacteria alive but can be left out of the refrigerator for up to 10 days with only a 5% loss of active bacteria, after 10 days the bacteria will die off quickly.  Can be kept in the freezer for up to 1 year.

  

CUSTOM PROBIOTICS FORMULA 1

Sold on their website 

STRAINS: Acidophilus, Thermophilus, Bulgaricus
INSTRUCTIONS: Scoop size = 0.8 grams. Add half scoop (0.4 gm) to 2-4 quarts of milk at 100 Deg F (38 Deg C). Mix thoroughly and ferment for 9 hours or longer. 150 billion cfu’s per gram of yogurt starter powder.
STORAGE: Keep sealed in the refrigerator to retain maximum potency. Starter can travel for 2-3 weeks without refrigeration. Expires one year from date of manufacture.
FREE FROM: Dairy, sugar, gluten, soy, casein, yeast, artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, FOS or any genetically modified or engineered ingredients. 

 

COMMERCIAL YOGURT AS A STARTER FOR SCD

The following commercial yogurts are only to be used as starters and are not otherwise legal foods. It is imperative to check the ingredients labels carefully. Some yogurts that are used as a starter may contain sucrose, cream and lactose however these are consumed over the 24-hour fermentation.

In Australia these brands are SCD legal:

In New Zealand these brands are SCD legal:

  

YOGURT STARTER FOR THE 'GAPS' DIET

The GAPS diet allows Bifidus Bifidum bacteria in a starter but is not a requirement, so all of the above listed SCD starter cultures may be used to make GAPS 24 hour yogurt or this homemade probiotic yogurt.

YOGOURMET IMMUNE BOOSTER PROBIOTIC YOGURT STARTER CULTURE

Sold at Luvele

STRAINS: Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium (Bifidus) longum.
MAKES: Pack contains 18 x 3 gram sachets (54 grams). One 3 gram sachet will make 2L of yoghurt - makes up to 36 Litres of yogurt. Can be used with both dairy and plant based milks.
STORAGE:Store in the refrigerator.
FREE FROM:Preservatives, colouring, gluten. Kosher certified. Halal certified

 

CUSTOM PROBIOTICS FORMULA 2

Sold online at their website or the GAPS Australia online shop.

STRAINS: Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Streptococcus Thermophilus, Lactobacilus Acidophilus, Lactobacilus Lactis, Bifidobacterium Lactis
INSTRUCTIONS: Scoop size = 0.8 grams. Add half scoop (0.4 gm) to 2-4 quarts of milk at 100 Deg F (38 Deg C). Mix thoroughly and ferment for 9 hours or longer. 150 billion cfu’s per gram of yogurt starter powder.
STORAGE: Keep sealed in the refrigerator to retain maximum potency. Starter can travel for 2-3 weeks without refrigeration. Expires one year from date of manufacture.
FREE FROM: Dairy, sugar, gluten, soy, casein, yeast, artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, FOS or any genetically modified or engineered ingredients.  

PROGOOD - PREMIUM PROBIOTICS

Sold online at their website

STRAINS: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Saccharomyces boulardii. Note: This product was not designed as a yogurt starter culture but because the strains are dairy loving, they will thicken milk into yogurt and can be used in place of any traditional starter. Follow the instructions here. 
INSTRUCTIONS: available in a plastic jar or single serve dual sachet. We recommend using the sachets because they are more stable to ship. One box contains 15 x 5g dual sachets. Each half of the dual sachet contains separate ingredients. The probiotic culture sachet contains 30 billion cells of good bacteria. The booster sachet contains a blend of prebiotic fibre. Use the entire dual ProGood sachet in place of a traditional yogurt starter culture to make 1 – 2 litres of yogurt. Can be used with both dairy and plant based milks.
STORAGE: Keep sealed in the refrigerator to retain maximum potency. If you leave ProGood out of the fridge for a day or two, don’t panic or think its wasted. ProGood will still be very effective for a few days out of the fridge. 

 

COMMERCIAL YOGURT AS A STARTER FOR GAPS

The following commercial yogurts are only to be used as starters and are not otherwise GAPS legal foods. It is imperative to check the ingredients labels carefully to avoid sugar, fruit juice or other additives or gelling agents.

Australia: In addition to the commercial yogurt starters listed for SCD above, these brands may be used. 

New Zealand: In addition to the commercial yogurt starters listed for SCD above, these brands may be used. 

 

For more on yogurt starter cultures click here
For a list of SCD & GAPS starter cultures in the US click here
For a list of SCD & GAPS starter cultures in UK click here
For a list of SCD & GAPS starter cultures in Europe click here

 

If you know a starter culture or commercial yogurt that should be listed here, please contact support@luvele.com.au so we can include it in this post.

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