Raw Milk Is Not Your Savior

I grew up knowing two kinds of people who drank raw milk: Mennonites and hippies. 

As different as these social minority groups were, they shared nutritional convictions. Both prioritized local, minimally processed foods in a world that was increasingly transfixed with—and transformed by—Crunchwrap Supremes and double-stuffed Oreos. 

Now, over the course of the presidential election season, the raw milk train has picked up another coalition: conservatives. But to MAGA nation, raw milk is more than a nutrient-dense food; it's a political mascot encapsulating the peoples' discontent with America's health authorities.

This movement—the raw milk rebellion—embodies a kind of American insubordination that I adore. We, the people, have had enough. Give us liberty (unpasteurized milk), or give us death!

But in witnessing raw milk's resurgence in popular culture, there's been, in my infallible opinion, a bit of overhyping of its healing potential.

Raw milk, overhyped?

Multiple Buttercups have reached out to me asking what I think about raw milk, and I'm here to say that I think it's wonderful and truly healthy. It contains vitamins and beneficial bacteria that are otherwise deactivated when pasteurized.

And most store-bought milk comes from cows who have sad, unhealthy lives. The opposite living conditions of our Queen Butterscotch.

Raw milk certainly can—and should!—be a part of the optimal human diet. Children, especially, benefit from raw milk's developmental-supporting nutrients. Raising kids on raw milk will tee them up to attain greatness in all of life's arenas.

But for most of us, I don't believe raw milk will be the end-all cure. It probably won't transform a dull existence into wonder-stricken living that gives you the fitness of an Olympian and the jawline of a supermodel.

And if I may be vulnerable for a moment, I can't even tolerate raw milk very well. Pretty much all cow proteins—even Butterscotch's A2/A2 milk, God bless her—don't settle well with me. It makes me feel dense and lethargic. The best way I can describe how I feel after drinking 8 ounces of raw milk is blahhhhh.

Good food should make you feel good. And while raw milk is a good food, it's not good for me. It's not ✨my✨ truth.

An alternative to raw milk

I don't mean to make this all about me, but since we're on the topic, I will tell you what makes me feel dangerously good: goat milk.

For reasons known only by my microbiome, a glass of goat milk unlocks physical hardiness, psychological fortitude, and emotional availability. Heck, I think it makes me a better Christian.

(I just Googled what does the Bible say about goat milk? and I was pleasantly surprised to find Proverbs 27:27, which states, "There will be enough goats' milk for your food,  for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls." Upon textual analysis, goat milk's biblical moment is not what I hoped for. Its mention is to highlight the principle of stewardship—not the importance of eating nutrient-rich foods. Ugh, fine. Whatever.)

Due to its protein profile, goat milk is less allergenic than cow's milk, which is why it makes me feel more like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible instead of Roz in Monsters, Inc.

Goat milk is also more bioavailable than cow's milk, meaning our body can better absorb and utilize its rich nutrients.

Also, goats are just really happy, fun animals. There are some (baseless) allegations that goats are noisy and destructive, but I choose to look past those reports and see the good.

And have you ever noticed on social media, that when people post about phenomenal athletes like Simone Biles or Novak Djokovic, they often include a goat emoji? Isn't that a fascinating coincidence?

🐐 🐐 🐐

Simone Biles, gymnast, widely considered the greatest of all time.

My go-to protein

Given my enthusiasm for goats and their milk, I am elated to share one of the only supplements I take and highly recommend to you: goat protein.

Now, I know what some of you less cultured Buttercups are thinking. Goat milk protein? Gross. Bet it tastes like a farm. But I am here to tell you that its taste is truly wonderful and delicious.

And again, you may be thinking, Well, Vance, you probably think carrots and kale taste "wonderful" and "delicious." Your judgment is tainted.

And to that comment, I would present the facts: everyone that's tried goat milk protein (even goat cheese and goat milk haters!) really enjoys its taste. Even my Snickers and seed oil-loving brothers love the taste of goat protein.

The only goat protein I drink and recommend is Elite Fuel's 100% Grass-Fed Goat Whey Protein. I am drinking this protein as I write this post.

Elite Fuel is owned by the most righteous eater I know, Dr. Matt Angove. He cares deeply about food quality, and he's taken his heart for food integrity and poured it into creating this immune-supporting, strength-building protein.

Elite Fuel sources its goat protein from a small family farm in Washington State—a ten-minute drive from where I was raised. Check out this video to see how great and healthy the goats' lives are:

I'll be real—you may not need Elite Fuel's goat protein. But supplementing high-quality protein like Elite Fuel's goat protein can have some pretty wild benefits, especially for the following groups of people.

Pregnant women: I can't speak from personal experience 🫃🏻 but my sisters can, and they will tell you that they rely on Elite Fuel goat protein during their pregnancies. Protein is critical for healthy babies and mothers. And in the first trimester, when the thought of food makes you want to vomit, this easy-to-drink protein can be a life-saver.

Nursing mothers: Again, I can't speak from personal experience, but I can remind y'all that protein intake when lactating is critical for quality milk. Quality milk = strong, healthy babies.

Older adults: Geriatric Buttercups will always be my favorite. You all walked so we could run (on butter). But sadly, almost half of older adults don't get enough protein. My favorite—and most important—topic of nutrition research that's come out in the past few years has been the protein-cognition connection. Dementia, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's flourish when the brain doesn't get enough protein.

Athletes: Okay, I have some experience with this one. People have yet to call me a 🐐, but I think of myself as reasonably athletic. If there was a best supporting actor award for my athletic gains, it would go to Elite Fuel's goat protein. It's helped me recover from hard workouts, boosted my endurance, elevated my strength. Big fan.

If you're interested in looking good for swimsuit season, not getting dementia, and growing healthy babies, use code BUTTERCUP to save 15% on Elite Fuel's 100% Grass-Fed Goat Protein.