Choosing suitable milk for our children that is nutritious for their growth, yet gentle for their tummy is never an easy task. Our options are no longer confined to just fresh cow’s milk or formula milk, instead, a wide variety of milk – both animal, plant, and nut-based – are easily available in the market for our choosing.
Cow’s milk or goat’s milk? Do you know about sheep’s milk? So how do we choose what is best for our children then?
Today we are going to explore these 3 types of animal-based milk and learn about what a milk company hailed from New Zealand has to offer.
This vs That
We grew up learning about how cow’s milk makes a good source of calcium, carbohydrates, and Vitamin A, B1, and D; it also provides potassium, zinc, protein, and it contains different fatty acids and omega-3. All these nutrients help the growth and development of strong bones, teeth, and muscles; making it a popular choice for parents all these years.
However, studies have shown that goat’s milk is in many ways, more superior than cow’s milk. For one, it is found that goat’s milk contains 5 to 8 times more oligosaccharides as compared to cow’s milk. Oligosaccharides are a type of prebiotic that has anti-inflammatory properties that help build children’s immunity and stimulate the growth of beneficial probiotic bacteria in the gut.
Studies found that goat’s milk contains A2 protein, which means it is easier for absorption and digestion. Besides, goat’s milk contains a high content of DHA that is important for the development of the brain and eyesight.
That is not all. The fat globules in goat’s milk are said to be 20% smaller than that of cow’s milk and that it has a lower level of lactose. To top it off, we also learned that goat’s milk has around 15% more of medium-chain fatty acids compared to cow’s milk, which is a good source of energy. That said, fresh goat’s milk has a distinctive strong taste that some may not be able to accept.
Taste aside, so far goat’s milk sounds like a promising contender, doesn’t it? Now, let us take a look at what sheep’s milk can offer.
Then Came The Super One…
In many ways, sheep’s milk is very similar to goat’s milk, but overall, with higher nutritional content. According to Spring Sheep New Zealand, its farm-produced fresh sheep’s milk has higher levels of – Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, and E; and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and zinc – than cow and goat’s milk.
The natural A2-type proteins in Spring Sheep’s milk are easier to digest when compared to the A1 proteins that are commonly found in cow’s milk; it is understood that A1 protein when broken down can cause abdominal discomfort – the very reason why some people’s digestive system cannot agree with the dairy products that they consume.
Sheep’s milk is also known to contain significantly higher milk solids (that is fat and protein!), which explains the rich, creamy texture but a much gentler taste profile. Its unique fat composition includes a high proportion of short and medium-chain fatty acids, which are easier to digest, are a better source of energy, and may help decrease cholesterol.
Known as a “complete protein” source, sheep’s milk contains all 10 essential amino acids, which our body cannot produce, instead, they must be consumed from our diet. Not forgetting, due to its high solid content, there is over 60% more protein and calcium in sheep’s milk compared to goat and cow’s milk!
So Again, Why Sheep’s Milk?
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Easier for absorption
The absorption of important nutrients like amino acids, the body’s building blocks, is significantly higher in sheep’s milk than cow’s milk.
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Easier for digestion
As mentioned, sheep’s milk is naturally an A2-type milk, free from A1 beta-casein protein found in most cow’s milk, which has been associated with digestive discomfort, such as painful cramps and bloating. Besides, it is also higher in short to medium-chain fatty acids, which means these fats may be easier to digest due to more efficient metabolism.
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More Calcium and protein
Sheep’s milk naturally contains up to 60% more protein and calcium when compared to goat’s and cow’s milk.
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Less likely to trigger sensitivities and stomach or digestion intolerances
Studies suggest sheep’s milk may be a very good alternative for those who struggle with the digestion of cow’s milk or experience an upset stomach after drinking milk. Proteins in sheep’s milk are very different to those in cow’s milk, in both structure and composition. Sheep’s milk is lower in a protein called alpha-S1 Casein, which has been linked to allergic sensitization in young children.
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A taste of luxury
Grass-fed New Zealand sheep’s milk is dubbed one of the most beautiful tasting milk in the world, it is known for its creamy, luxurious, and smooth mouthfeel; minus the pungent, strong taste that can be found in other animals’ milk. Picky eaters will enjoy this delicious milk!
Raised By Nature, Produced With Love
One of Spring Sheep’s farms is situated nearby Lake Taupo – the largest freshwater lake in New Zealand – and is surrounded by lush green pastures, beautiful forests, volcanic mountains, and snowy peaks in the wintertime.
With plentiful sunshine and good rainfall, comes bountiful, pure freshwater and an abundance of grass for the flock to graze on. Spring Sheep’s lush pastures are rich in red and white clover – the key ingredient in raising healthy and happy milking sheep who live in a natural environment.
For each milking ewe, Spring Sheep knows exactly how much milk she is producing, as well as her overall milk volumes for the season; and in order to do that, it has to carefully monitor the health and happiness of every one of their animal to ensure their milk is always of the highest possible quality in nutrients and taste profile; the company affirms that its products do not contain added sucrose, growth hormones, or GMO – that’s definitely good news for mothers who want only the best for their children!
The Verdict
For someone who is never a fan of milk, let alone exotic-sounding milk such as sheep’s milk, I was surprised at how easily acceptable Spring Sheep milk is to my palate! It has a faint vanilla-y fragrance which gives it a lush and rich, yet soothing and light taste. My children, especially the 5-year-old picky eater, are now big fans of the milk and are religiously asking for a glass of it every morning. We have also tried amping up our milkshakes using Spring Sheep milk and let me just say this, it is DELICIOUS!
As farmers at heart and farmers with heart, Spring Sheep is committed to providing a tastier, gentler, and more nutritious alternative to its other two counterparts. As the good folks in Spring Sheep say, “we are just parents talking to other parents; they want to know that our milk is safe, and we want them to know that our milk is better than that – it is the best.”
Spring Sheep is a partnership between New Zealand Government-owned enterprise Pāmu and sales and marketing company SLC. To learn more about the company’s milk products suitable for toddlers, children, and adults alike, head over to its website to catch a glimpse of the nature’s best site where the super milk is produced.