Why Goat Milk?

Ever since I had to go dairy free, I’ve been wondering why I can eat goat and sheep products without an issue while bovine dairy is basically poison for my digestive system. Thanks to an article from the US National Library of Medicine that was referenced in a similar post by the Detoxinista, I finally understand why! Check out some of my favorites goat/sheep cheese recipes at the bottom too. As always, substitute vegan cheese of choice if you prefer. My absolute favorite goat cheese maker is a local co-op here in Wisconsin called Mt. Sterling Creamery…their country jack goat cheese is absolutely amazing.

It basically boils down to this:

1) The casein proteins in goat and sheep’s milk are different, and less allergenic than those in cow’s milk, so they digest differently and cause less stress on the digestive system.

2) The fat molecules in goat milk are smaller, so they’re easier to break down.

3) Goat milk contains a bit less lactose than cow’s milk.

The article from the Library of Medicine that I mentioned earlier actually suggests goat and sheep milk as an alternative for children who are allergic to cow’s milk, and references a study done that shows a big improvement in children that were switched to goat products.

“Goat milk as a substitute for cow milk was studied in 38 children during a 5 months period [33]. The children on goat milk surpassed those on cow milk in weight gain, height, skeletal mineralization, and blood serum contents of Vitamin A, calcium, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and hemoglobin. Similar findings were obtained in studies with rats [34]. In French clinical studies over 20 years with cow milk allergy patients the conclusion was that substitution with goat milk was followed by “undeniable” improvements [33]. In other French extensive clinical studies with children allergic to cow milk, the treatment with goat milk produced positive results in 93% of the children and was recommended as a valuable aid in child nutrition because of less allergenicity and better digestibility than cow milk [33].” (emphasis mine)

Some of my favorite recipes use goat and sheep milk! (You may substitute a vegan cheese if you so desire…I just haven’t yet found a vegan cheese that didn’t make me gag.)

“Fancy” Mac and Cheese

Better than Mom’s Meatballs

Green Bean Casserole

Sausage Pepper Noodle Simmer

Bruschetta Chicken