Nutrition in Goat Kefir

Goat kefir is a beverage made from goat's milk, but unlike traditional milk, goat kefir is fermented. While goat kefir has similar nutritional values to the cow's milk you might purchase at the grocery store, the fermentation process and the use of goat's rather than cow's milk gives this beverage a distinct nutritional profile. Among other differences, goat kefir is lower in carbohydrates than cow's milk, so you may find it more appropriate for your diet.

Calories

Goat kefir is higher in calories than skim milk but lower in calories than regular milk, with 140 calories per 8 oz. serving. That amount comprises 7 percent of your daily calories, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Goat kefir has 20 calories less than a cup of whole milk provides, but 60 calories more than a cup of skim milk.

Fat and Cholesterol

Goat kefir is rich in fat, as 1 cup drink contains 8 g of total fat. Of this fat, 5 g come from saturated fat, a type of fat that may increase your total blood cholesterol level. Because high cholesterol levels can increase your risk of heart disease, the American Heart Association suggests limiting your daily intake of saturated fat to less than 16 g. Goat kefir also contains cholesterol; each cup contains 30 mg, or 10 percent of the AHA's daily suggested limit of 300 mg.

Carbohydrates

Goat kefir is moderately low in carbohydrates, as each cup contains 10 g of this nutrient. This makes goat kefir more appropriate for reduced-carbohydrate diets than cow's milk, as a cup of regular milk contains 13 g of carbohydrates. As with regular milk, goat kefir provides no fiber.

Protein

Goat kefir is a good source of protein, with 8 g in each cup. That amount is equal to what a cup of cow's milk provides. Protein is essential for building and maintaining your body's tissues; the Institute of Medicine recommends consuming least .8 g of protein per kilogram of body weight every day. To determine your weight in kilograms, divide your weight in pounds by 2.2.

Vitamins and Minerals

As with cow's milk, goat kefir is rich in calcium. Each cup of this drink contains 35 percent of the daily recommended intake of calcium, along with 6 percent of the suggested daily intake of vitamin A and 4 percent of your recommended intake of iron.