For those of you parenting kids with food sensitivities, oh boy do we get it. The time spent examining food labels alone is overwhelming. So when we find a fantastic alternative for sensitive tummies, we’re happy to share it. Our newest find is goat milk, which it turns out, can be a great option for some people with sensitivities to cow milk.
Before we go further, please note that sensitivities are different than allergies. If you or your child are allergic to cow milk, the proteins in goat milk may also cause an allergic reaction. That said, some folks (including our editor Stacie’s son) who have a hard time with cow milk seem to digest goat milk just fine thanks to lower levels of lactose.
Speak to your doctor to determine if you’re dealing with an allergy or sensitivity and, if you’re able to safely experiment, you might want to give goat milk a try. Here are a few products to get you started.
Related: 7 allergy-friendly snack recipes for a safer back-to-school lunch season
Kabrita goat milk yogurt and fruit pouches are made with non-GMO ingredients and, more importantly, are delicious. If your child can’t tolerate cow milk yogurt, but can digest goat milk, these may be a game changer. In fact, they were for me: My picky kids can tolerate cow milk just fine, but loved these more than any other yogurt pouches they’ve tried. Enriched with vitamins D, C, and E, I’m happy to make the switch.
Meyenberg makes a whole line of goat milk products, from milk to buttermilk, butter to cheese. If you end up being a goat milk convert, these products can become the backbone of your dairy pantry. These are a straight substitute for cow or plant-based milks: You can cook, bake, eat, and drink these just as you would the others. Though based in California, Meyenberg is available nationwide, mostly at natural food stores, though some big box stores seem to carry them as well, so keep your eye out. And, of course, there’s always Amazon.
Redwood Hill Farm is a brand of goat milk yogurt, cheese, and kefir that’s available nationwide. In fact, they’re brought to you by the team that also produces Green Valley Organics Lactose Free dairy products. In other words, these folks understand low-lactose and lactose-free dairy, and are committed to helping make it possible for as many people as possible to enjoy healthy dairy without trouble. I especially love the Redwood Hill Farm kefir since it’s packed with probiotics, which are also great for folks with tummy sensitivities—or really for anyone.
I became allergic to cow milk after having surgery. Milkis my favorite food. I discovered Meyenburg and it has worked for me for 28 years. DELICIOUS.