Greek Vs Goat Milk: Which Yogurt Is Actually Healthier

Around the globe, yogurt is made with milk from a variety of animals, including sheep, cows, goats, and even horses. While cow's milk yogurt tends to be the most commonly seen in the United States, some alternatives are available, including dairy-free options and yogurts made with sheep or goat milk. Greek yogurt is touted as a healthier option and is usually made with cow's milk in the U.S., but ironically, the yogurt you'd eat in Greece is often made with goat and sheep milk.

There are many types of yogurt around the world, but today we focus on cow's milk Greek yogurt versus goat milk yogurt. The term "healthy" is relative, as what's considered healthy for one person may not be the best choice for another person. However, in this context, we'll be comparing the nutritional content of the two yogurts. Goat milk yogurt tends to contain more magnesium, potassium, and copper than Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt, on the other hand, contains more zinc, selenium, and phosphorus than goat milk yogurt. Greek yogurt provides much more of the daily need for vitamin B12, while goat milk yogurt has just slightly more sodium. However, it does have less cholesterol than Greek yogurt, and neither contains fiber.

Let's look at two popular Greek yogurt brands. A ¾ cup serving of Chobani's whole milk Greek yogurt contains 170 calories, 9 grams of fat, 6 grams of sugar, and 15 grams of protein, while the same serving of Fage 5% Greek yogurt contains 10 fewer calories and 1 gram less sugar than Chobani's.

By comparison, the same ¾ cup serving of Meyenberg plain goat yogurt has only 120 calories, 6 grams of fat, 5 grams of sugar, and 6 grams of protein, while Sierra Nevada Cheese Company's plain goat milk yogurt has a full cup serving size, with 170 calories, 9 grams of fat, 5 grams of sugar, and 15 grams of protein. If you look strictly at the numbers, goat milk yogurt generally has fewer calories and less fat than Greek yogurt. However, Greek yogurt provides more protein.

It's important to check the nutrition label to see if the yogurt contains lots of added sugars, which many flavored yogurts do. Compared to cow's milk yogurt, goat milk yogurt may be easier to digest for people with lactose sensitivities. All that being said, both types of yogurt are relatively healthy options, but depending on your dietary needs and preferences, one may be slightly better for you than the other.