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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 MOnPZ14pD//fQPem6r5RZjJyRX0gOwrusFjVzGXwNKcSzid3M5NltmsXuWihr8/s
 1nYpHGHjy6NDHXjTLawbMA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001227848-03-000008.txt : 20031218
<SEC-HEADER>0001227848-03-000008.hdr.sgml : 20031218
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031218183910
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001227848-03-000008
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031028
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031218

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SMOLYANSKY LUDMILA
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001227848

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-17363
		FILM NUMBER:		031063367

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O LIFE WAY FOODS
		STREET 2:		6431 W OAKTON STREET
		CITY:			MORTON GROVE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60053
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8479671010

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LIFEWAY FOODS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000814586
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	DAIRY PRODUCTS [2020]
		IRS NUMBER:				363442829
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6431 W OAKTON
		CITY:			MORTON GROVE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60053
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7089671010

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6431 W OAKTON
		CITY:			MORTON GROVE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60053
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-10-28</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2003-10-30</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000814586</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LIFEWAY FOODS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LWAY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001227848</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SMOLYANSKY LUDMILA</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O LIFEWAY FOODS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>6431 WEST OAKTON ST.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MORTON GROVE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60053</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common stock, no par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-10-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2900</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>15.01</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>241200</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The number securities beneficially owned following the reported transaction has been amended in this Form 4/A from 41,200 to 241,200 in order to accurately reflect the securities owned by Ludmila Smolyansky at this time.  Mrs. Smolyansky had earlier received 200,000 shares of Lifeway Foods, Inc. Common Stock (no par value) on August 5, 2003 as a distribution under will from the estate of her deceased husband, Michael Smolyansky.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">$15.01 is the average price per share for the 2,900 total shares of Lifeway Foods, Inc. common stock, no par value, sold on the open market pursuant to SEC Rule 144 by Ludmila Smolyansky on October 28, 2003. The 2,900 total shares were sold in 6 blocs of 300 shares each, 2 blocs of 500 shares each and 1 bloc of 100 shares. Two 300-share blocs were sold at $15.35 per share, two 300-share blocs were sold at $14.90 per share, one 300-share bloc was sold at $15.00 per share, one 300-share bloc was sold at $14.85 per share, one 500-share bloc was sold at $14.90, one 500-share bloc was sold at $14.95 per share and the 100-share bloc was sold at $14.95 per share.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Ludmila Smolyansky</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-12-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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