Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	May 03, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Lifeway Foods, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000814586
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Is Entity's Reporting Status Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		15,631,314
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Enitity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Incorporation State County Code	IL
Entity File Number	000-17363