Does Goat Milk Contain Lactose?

What is lactose?

Lactose is the natural sugar in milk. To digest it, the body uses an enzyme called lactase. People who make less lactase may have symptoms after eating dairy, which is known as lactose intolerance.

How much lactose is in goat milk?

Goat milk contains slightly less lactose than cow milk on average, but the difference is small and values vary between farms, animals and seasons. For people who need to limit lactose, goat milk should be treated like any other milk. The Canadian Nutrient File lists nutrient values for both.

What about goat yogurt?

During fermentation, yogurt cultures use some of the lactose in milk, so yogurt generally contains less lactose than the milk it was made from. It still contains lactose. The amount depends on the product, so check the label.

Lactose intolerance is not the same as a milk allergy

Lactose intolerance is about digesting milk sugar. A milk allergy is an immune reaction to milk proteins and can be serious.

Goat milk is not a safe alternative for people with a cow’s milk allergy. Goat and cow milk proteins are similar, and many people with a cow’s milk allergy also react to goat milk. Health Canada lists milk as a priority food allergen.

The bottom line

Goat milk contains lactose and is a milk allergen. If you choose goat dairy, choose it because you enjoy it — not as a lactose-free or allergy-friendly product.

This article is general educational information, not medical or nutrition advice. If you have an allergy, intolerance or health condition, talk with a doctor, allergist or registered dietitian.