We all know the benefits of exploring a Cow’s milk-free diet. Maybe you’re lactose intolerant, or you’re just looking to cut back on your dairy intake for health reasons. But one thing that often gets overlooked is that cow’s milk free doesn’t have to mean depriving yourself of all the deliciousness that milk brings to the table. There are so many non-dairy milk options out there these days, like nut milks but in my opinion, Goat’s Milk and Goat Milk Products are better. Not only is it naturally lower in lactose than cow’s milk, but it’s also packed with nutrients like calcium, selenium, and vitamin A.
Medium Chain Triglycerides
But what about those of us who are also following a low-carb diet like keto? Well, good news! Goat milk products are also a great source of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are a type of saturated fat that is metabolized differently than other types of fat. MCTs are absorbed and metabolized quickly by the liver as ketones, so they’re a great source of energy for athletes and people who are trying to lose weight. In fact, studies have shown that MCTs can help you lose weight in a few different ways: by increasing energy expenditure, reducing food intake, and improving body composition.
If you’re looking for a delicious, nutritious, and satiating Cow’s milk-free option that’s also low in carbs, look no further than goat milk! It’s the perfect addition to your morning coffee or tea, and it can be used in all sorts of recipes.
Goat Milk vs Cow Milk
Goats are members of the Capra genus, which includes other horned animals like sheep and antelope. Goats are ruminants, just like cows, meaning they have a four-chamber stomach that allows them to digest their food more effectively. At first glance, the nutrition facts for cow milk and goat milk look pretty much the same. In general, milk from ruminants is a near-perfect food. It has a lot of calcium, vitamins A and D, and minerals like potassium and magnesium. It also has all 8 essential amino acids. Water, protein, fat, and lactose are the main parts of both goat milk and cow milk. At first glance, the nutrition facts for cow milk and goat milk look pretty much the same.
Goat Milk Products naturally contain about 1% less lactose than cow’s milk. So those who are typically sensitive to dairy products might find goat milk to be a good option. Not only does goat milk have less lactose than cow milk, but its fat is also much easier for people to digest. This means that the fat globules in goat milk are smaller and easier for our milk fat-dissolving enzyme, lipase, to break up into smaller pieces as they move through our gut. So, goat milk moves through a person’s digestive system more easily than cow milk does.
Goat’s milk also has more essential fatty acids than cow’s milk. These fatty acids are also called medium-chain triglycerides. They are easy to turn into energy and are less likely to be stored as fat than other types of fat. Compared to cow milk, goat milk fat has about 30–35% medium-chain triglycerides, which makes it a healthy choice for most dairy lovers.
Goat Milk Products and Fatloss
A recent study suggests that drinking goat milk can help with weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight. The study was conducted on 60 overweight or obese adults who were divided into two groups. One group was given a daily supplement of goat milk while the other group was given a daily supplement of cow milk. Both groups were also put on a calorie-restricted diet and asked to exercise regularly. After 12 weeks, the results were compared.
The group that was supplemented with goat milk lost an average of 5% of their body weight, while the group supplemented with cow milk lost an average of 2% of their body weight. In addition, the group that was supplemented with goat milk had lower levels of inflammation and greater improvements in insulin sensitivity than the group supplemented with cow milk.
Types of Goat Milk Products
There are a variety of goat milk products on the market today. Here are just a few of the most popular options:
Goat Milk Butter: Creamy, rich, and delicious, it makes everything taste better. But what if I told you that there was a kind of butter that was even better than cow’s milk butter? Introducing goat butter. Made from the milk of goats, goat butter is packed with MCTs (medium chain triglycerides), which are a type of saturated fat that is metabolized differently than other types of fat. MCTs are absorbed directly by the liver and used for energy, rather than being stored as fat. As a result, goat butter can help you to lose weight, improve your cholesterol levels, and boost your cognitive function.
So, is Goat’s milk butter better?: Goat’s milk butter can be better for you depending on your dietary needs. It is easier to digest than cow’s butter due to its smaller fat globules and lower lactose content, making it a good option for people with lactose sensitivity. Additionally, it’s rich in beneficial medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which provide quick energy and support metabolic health. Goat’s butter also contains vitamin A and has potential anti-inflammatory properties. However, like all butter, it should be consumed in moderation, especially if you’re watching your saturated fat intake.
Goat Milk Cheese: Goat cheese is a type of cheese made from goat’s milk. It comes in a variety of textures and flavors, from soft and crumbly to firm and sharp. Goat cheese is a great source of protein, calcium, and vitamin A.
Goat Milk Yogurt: Goat milk yogurt is made from goat’s milk that has been fermented with live cultures. It has a creamy texture and tangy flavor similar to regular yogurt made from cow’s milk. Goat milk yogurt is an excellent source of probiotics, which are beneficial for gut health.
Goat Milk Ice Cream: Just like cow’s milk ice cream, goat milk ice cream is made by combining goat’s milk with cream and sugar. However, goat milk ice cream has a richer flavor than its cow’s milk counterpart. It also contains more vitamins and minerals, making it a healthier option overall.
Is Goat Milk Keto?
Goat milk can be incorporated into a ketogenic diet, but with some considerations. A standard keto diet prioritizes high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate foods to maintain ketosis, a metabolic state where the body burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. While goat milk contains beneficial fats and nutrients, it also has carbohydrates that can impact your keto macros.
One cup of goat milk contains approximately 11 grams of carbs, which might be a significant portion of your daily carb allowance if you’re following a strict keto regimen. For comparison, most keto diets recommend limiting carb intake to 20-50 grams per day, depending on your individual goals. However, if you consume goat milk in smaller quantities, such as in a splash for coffee or tea, it can still fit into your keto diet without pushing you out of ketosis.
An alternative for those following a stricter keto diet might be goat milk-derived products like goat milk cream or goat cheese, which have fewer carbs and higher fat content. These options allow you to enjoy the benefits of goat milk, including its healthy fats and rich micronutrient profile, while staying within your keto guidelines.
If you’re looking for a new dairy product to try, look no further than goat milk! There are many different types of goat milk products available on the market today ranging from soap to cheese to yogurt to creamy delicious butter. And what’s even better than all of that? Goat milk has many health benefits that make it a wise choice for those looking to optimize their health and it’s Keto friendly. So why not give it a try? Your taste buds (and your skin!) will thank you.