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Contents
In dietetics – the science of tailored nutrition – donkey milk is a perfectly normal food. It provides energy, protein, little fat, lactose and minerals. It does not have any special properties that would replace professional dietary advice. Here you will read how donkey milk can be objectively classified and where its limitations lie.
What dietetics means – and what it does not
In everyday life, many people think of weight loss when they hear the word “diet.” In technical terms, however, dietetics is much broader: it is about adapting nutrition to individual needs – such as age, life circumstances or a medical condition. Such dietary plans should be entrusted to doctors and qualified nutrition professionals.
For certain purposes, there are specially regulated product groups, such as infant formula or so-called balanced diets. Donkey milk does not belong to any of these groups. It is a food for general consumption, and that is also the only way we offer it.
Donkey milk composition at a glance
| Nutrient | per 100 ml (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Energy | 35–45 kcal |
| Fat | 0.3–1.8 g (usually less than 1 g) |
| Protein | 1.5–1.9 g |
| Lactose | 6–7 g |
| Calcium | 60–90 mg |
Donkey milk also naturally contains lysozyme and lactoferrin, two proteins found in milk. We list them as ingredients, not as evidence for any specific effect. As donkey milk is a natural product, the values vary. The information on the label is binding.
Lactose: rather more than in cow’s milk
A common misconception is that donkey milk is low in lactose. The opposite is true: with approximately 6 to 7 g per 100 ml, it contains more lactose than cow’s milk, which has around 4.7 g. This is an important point for anyone whose diet is affected by lactose.
If you count carbohydrates, you must include lactose as sugar. A 200 ml glass contains approximately 12 to 14 g. You can find a comparison of different types of milk in the article How much lactose does each type of milk contain?
Milk protein and intolerances
You will often read that donkey milk is “hypoallergenic” or suitable for everyone. We do not make such claims. Donkey milk contains milk protein and lactose. Whether it is suitable for someone with a milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance cannot be answered generally.
- If you have a known milk protein allergy: please be sure to consult your doctor beforehand.
- If you are lactose intolerant: take the higher lactose content into account and consult your doctor.
- Ingredients and allergens: always check the label of the respective product.
Children, pregnancy and breastfeeding
Donkey milk is not a substitute for breast milk or infant formula. We do not recommend it for babies. If you would like to give donkey milk to children or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please speak to your pediatrician or doctor beforehand. They can assess your situation and take your overall diet into account.
How to incorporate donkey milk into your diet
For most people, donkey milk is simply a special type of milk: rare, mild in taste and produced in small quantities. A donkey gives only about 1 to 2 liters a day in addition to milk for her foal. In a varied diet, it can be enjoyed just like other types of milk – in coffee, in muesli or on its own.
If you follow or need to follow a specific diet, speak to professionals first before incorporating it. And always keep an eye on the nutritional values on the label. If you have never tried donkey milk before, start with a small amount to get a feel for the taste. Store frozen donkey milk at −18 °C and thaw it slowly in the refrigerator at 2–7 °C. You can read how donkey milk compares with cow’s milk in the article Donkey milk or cow’s milk: the differences.
Frequently asked questions
Is donkey milk a dietary food?
No. Donkey milk is a food for general consumption and is not a specially regulated product for specific dietary purposes.
Is donkey milk lactose-free or low in lactose?
No. It contains approximately 6 to 7 g of lactose per 100 ml, which is more than cow’s milk.
Can I drink donkey milk if I have a cow’s milk allergy?
This cannot be answered generally. Donkey milk contains milk protein. Please consult your doctor beforehand.
Is donkey milk suitable for babies?
Donkey milk is not a substitute for breast milk or infant formula, and we do not recommend it for babies. If you have questions about your child’s diet, contact your pediatrician.
Donkey milk is a food and not a medicine. If you have any health-related questions, please consult your doctor.
