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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 A1uUAUotwoDvIU/I+si65+8/IoothzET6RDm7Gt5+lOObu7Kwtbb9Qc5uLHIId8c
 r9LSqV4yPOlhYqNTZaiHbA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001227848-03-000009.txt : 20031218
<SEC-HEADER>0001227848-03-000009.hdr.sgml : 20031218
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031218184527
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001227848-03-000009
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031029
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:		031063377

	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>2003-10-29</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2003-10-31</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</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>2003-10-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>14.4</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>240200</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 40,200 to 240,200 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">The 1,000 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 29, 2003 were sold in two blocs of 300 shares each and two blocs of 200 shares each.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


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

</ownershipDocument>

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