Is goat cheese really healthier than regular cheese? Facts and fables revealed (2024)

FAQs

Is goat cheese really healthier than regular cheese? Facts and fables revealed? ›

Here are the facts: Nutritional value: Goat cheese contains essential nutrients such as vitamins A, B and D, and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. Compared to regular cheese, goat cheese typically has fewer calories and fats. This makes goat cheese a healthier option for those watching their calorie intake.

The fatty acids in goat cheese are metabolized faster than cow's cheese, which means that the body feels full faster. Researchers have found evidence that choosing goat cheese over cow helps people feel less hungry and eat less overall, which is an important factor in weight loss.

Plus, goat cheese provides healthy fats, including medium-chain fatty acids, that can improve satiety and benefit weight loss ( 3 ). What's more, goat's milk contains more medium-chain fatty acids than cow's milk. These are rapidly broken down and absorbed by the body and are less likely to be stored as fat ( 4 ).

When it comes to cheese, limit the amount you eat to 30 g a day and choose cheeses that are low in saturated fats. These include: unripened goat cheese, Mozzarella, Camembert, and other ripened log cheeses. So, much to everybody's delight, you don't need to say goodbye to dairy products if you have high cholesterol.

Some of the healthiest cheeses are feta and goat cheese, which are better for lactose intolerance. Cottage cheese and ricotta have more than 11 grams of muscle-building protein in a single serving.

Many of the microorganisms present in goat milk cheese, yoghurt and other byproducts are beneficial to human health. In addition to their anti-inflammatory action, they promote positive effects on intestinal functions.

Goat cheese as a lactose-friendly option

Goat cheese is a delicious option for people with lactose intolerance, especially if you choose aged varieties. Although goat cheese is not completely lactose-free, it contains significantly less lactose than cow's cheese, which usually makes it more digestible.

Some types are more likely to raise your blood pressure than others. Keep it down with cheeses that are naturally low in sodium, like Swiss, which has 75 milligrams per 1-ounce serving. Goat, ricotta, and fresh mozzarella are good, too. Processed and hard cheeses such as American and cottage cheese have more sodium.

Is goat cheese bad for the heart? ›

The best cheeses for heart disease are the ones with less saturated fat and sodium. Swiss cheese is probably the best choice, with only 53 mg of sodium per ounce. Mozzarella, goat and ricotta cheeses also fall on the lower side of the sodium scale, with about 130 milligrams per serving.

Cholesterol is often high due to excessive saturated and trans fat consumption. There are certain drinks that can help maintain an ideal cholesterol level. Some of the best drinks for cholesterol management include green tea, pomegranate juice, citrus juice, soy milk, plant-based smoothies, and red wine.

It has fewer calories than cow's cheese. Goat cheese clocks in at just 75 calories per ounce—significantly less than popular cow cheeses like mozzarella (85), brie (95), Swiss (108), and cheddar (115). It also has more vitamins and minerals than cow's cheese.