Besides monkeys (kidding!), I would totally milk a goat. I wish I had my own. For reals.
Leslie asked a very interesting question in the comments. Specifically, “I saw Goat’s Milk Yogurt for sale. What’s up with that??” Her question is interesting because I have goat’s yogurt AND cheese in my fridge at this very second and, lately, I have been reading a lot (and I mean a LOT) on the benefits of goat’s milk. The stuff has shown up on Fitsugar as ice cream, in Health magazine as, well, a health food and in this month’s Shape as cheese.
Benefits
Maaaa milk has several advantages over the Moooo milk:
1. It doesn’t require homogenization. Something about smaller fat globules (um, yum?) but I just like that it is less processed.
2. It is more easily digested so if you are allergic to cow milk, goat’s milk is a viable option.
3. It has less fat and calories per ounce than cow’s cheese (about a third less).
4. It has as much calcium & protein as cow’s milk but more oligosaccharides, which are apparently anti-inflamatories (Bob, our Traveller friend, could tell you more!).
5. It is also lower on the GI scale than cow’s milk, meaning it won’t spike your blood sugar.
6. If you are one of those who bloats or gets gas from cow’s milk, the increased digestibility of goat milk usually solves that problem.
Downsides
1. It tastes like goat.
How I Use It
Personally, I love the tangy flavor and creamy texture of goat milk products. I actually work my way through about 8 ounces of goat cheese (chevre) and 2-3 cups of yogurt a week. I use the cheese in scrambled eggs (it melts to a really nice, creamy texture) or crumbled on top of black beans or spread it on apple slices. I use the yogurt as a savory base for veggie dips & Indian sauces. I also top sweet potatoes with it & some rosemary. Some people eat the yogurt sweetened (I only buy the plain variety) but I didn’t like the combo of the goat-y taste with honey or berries.
Have any of you tried the goat milk ice cream?? I’m dying to know what it tastes like but unwilling to splurge the 5.89 for a pint (!!) at my local natural foods store.
If you try this (and I hope you do! Even my kids like it!), you have to let me know how it goes:)
That sounds like one serious downside, missy.
Goat’s milk was a BIG thing here a few years ago.. I think it still is cause I fell out of the scene since. My dad is even using goat’s milk soap right this very moment.. And he has one that is lavender scented! The first 2 things I noticed when I tried goat’s milk (a few years ago) was – yes, the creaminess and yes, the uh.. goat’s ‘fragrance’… but, yes also, there was this BIG thing surrounding its benefits which, I believe, is true.
I love goat cheese (and eat a substantial amount of it in various forms, including on my blueberry bagels in the morning, on my lunch salads,on crackers as desert etc) but I suspect that has more to do with my love of cheese than my love of goat 🙂
Oh yeah, Alexandra – I didn’t even think of goat cheese, which I ADORE. Duh!
I’m curious to find out how you know what goat tastes like? Have you eaten goat or been in close contact with goats before? Aren’t you a vegetarian?
For me personally, I like the taste of goat cheese. Its got a kick in it that normal processed cheddar cheese doesn’t. I’ve never tried it with berries, but I suspect that it would taste well also.
Have you ever thought about owning a goat? Along with the benefits of being able to get fresh goat milk, it would probably be a good baby sitter for the kids outside, and it would keep your lawn cut short.
Ok girlie I don’t know if I could bring myself to go goat but I am teetering on the edge of a major diet makeover and perhaps this might make the landing a little softer as I do love cheese, the ‘smelly-er’ the better! We’ll chat!!!
I have an 8 year old boy and we constantly worry about proper eating habits. We try not to create feelings of inadequacy in our boy, but my wife and I are both overweight and our child is succeptable to the same fate. We’ve started seeking out healthy alternatives to snack foods that have become staples in the American diet. Like, how do you make healthy pizza? Or what about healthy ice cream. We started by going to Trader Joes and then realized that there food is just as bad for you as the Safeway/Albertsons products.
We were at a farmers market in northern California the other day buying vegetables and ran into a booth selling Goats Milk Ice Cream. it is called Laloos. (www.goatmilkicecream.com) We tried the samples and fell in love with the taste. Then it was on to finding out about the nutritional value. It is ice cream after all. What we learned was that it is good for lactose intolerant people, it has half the fat and half the calorie content than traditional ice cream brands.
We scooped up two pints and have been slowly offering up bites to our boy. He loves it, we love it and none of us feel guilty about eating ice cream. Of course, everything in moderation. I recommend Laloos for those who love ice cream but hate the love handles that sometimes accompany it.
p.s. I even found a coupon and store locator on their homepage!
Ooh, thanks Eric! I’m still dying to try the stuff and if I have a coupon – that would def. help! I’m glad that you love it. I love personal recommendations.