Goat cheese vs. Cream cheese — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Taste

These types of cheese differ in flavor too. Goat cheese usually has an earthy, mild, and tart but slightly buttery flavor. The taste becomes more pronounced as the cheese ripens. 

In contrast, cream cheese is a smooth, creamy cheese that has a taste described as sweet and mild, with a note of tanginess. 

Calories

Goat cheese and cream cheese have almost similar amounts of calories. Both are classified as high-calorie foods. 

However, goat cheese is higher in calories containing 14 calories more than cream cheese. 

Macronutrients

Looking at the chart below, you can see that cream cheese is richer in water and carbs, thus having a creamier texture and sweeter taste. In contrast, goat cheese is higher in protein. Please, read more about macronutrients in the corresponding paragraphs. 

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

Goat cheese

2

:

3

Cream cheese

Contains more Protein +250.9%

Contains more Other +131.5%

Contains more Fats +15.4%

Contains more Carbs +4500%

Contains more Water +15.6%

Goat cheese

Protein: 21.58 g

Fats: 29.84 g

Carbs: 0.12 g

Water: 45.52 g

Other: 2.94 g

Cream cheese

Protein: 6.15 g

Fats: 34.44 g

Carbs: 5.52 g

Water: 52.62 g

Other: 1.27 g

Contains more Protein +250.9%

Contains more Other +131.5%

Contains more Fats +15.4%

Contains more Carbs +4500%

Contains more Water +15.6%

Carbs

Goat cheese has negligible amounts of carbs. At the same time, cream cheese contains higher amounts of carbs. Cream cheese contains 5.52g of carbs per 100g, 3.76g of which are sugars. 

Fats

Goat cheese and cream cheese are high in fats. Cream cheese contains higher amounts of fat compared to goat cheese. It has 4.6g more fat than goat cheese. 

Cholesterol

Goat cheese and cream cheese contain significant amounts of cholesterol. Goat cheese is lower in cholesterol, containing 79mg of it, compared to 101mg in cream cheese. 

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison

Goat cheese

0

:

3

Cream cheese

Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +30.8%

Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +109.2%

Equal in Saturated Fat - 20.213

Goat cheese

Saturated Fat: 20.639 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 6.808 g

Polyunsaturated fat: 0.709 g

Cream cheese

Saturated Fat: 20.213 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 8.907 g

Polyunsaturated fat: 1.483 g

Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +30.8%

Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +109.2%

Equal in Saturated Fat - 20.213

Proteins

Goat cheese is more than three times richer in proteins compared to cream cheese. The amount of protein in goat cheese is remarkable - 21.5g per 100g. 

Minerals

Goat cheese has a richer mineral profile compared to cream cheese.

Goat cheese is richer in iron, calcium, copper, and phosphorus.

Cream cheese contains lower amounts of sodium.

Below we can visualize the mineral distribution of each food.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Goat cheese

8

:

2

Cream cheese

Contains more Calcium +207.2%

Contains more Iron +1372.7%

Contains more Magnesium +222.2%

Contains more Phosphorus +250.5%

Contains more Potassium +19.7%

Contains more Zinc +32%

Contains more Copper +3033.3%

Contains more Manganese +745.5%

Contains less Sodium -24.3%

Contains more Selenium +126.3%

Goat cheese

Cream cheese

Contains more Calcium +207.2%

Contains more Iron +1372.7%

Contains more Magnesium +222.2%

Contains more Phosphorus +250.5%

Contains more Potassium +19.7%

Contains more Zinc +32%

Contains more Copper +3033.3%

Contains more Manganese +745.5%

Contains less Sodium -24.3%

Contains more Selenium +126.3%

Vitamins

Goat cheese is richer in vitamins A and B2.

Whereas cream cheese is richer in vitamin B5.

Below we can visualize the vitamin distribution of each food.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Goat cheese

7

:

3

Cream cheese

Contains more Vitamin A +31.8%

Contains more Vitamin D +∞%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +213%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +193.9%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +1161.5%

Contains more Vitamin K +19%

Contains more Vitamin E +230.8%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +172.1%

Contains more Folate +350%

Equal in Vitamin B6 - 0.056

Equal in Vitamin B12 - 0.22

Goat cheese

Cream cheese

Contains more Vitamin A +31.8%

Contains more Vitamin D +∞%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +213%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +193.9%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +1161.5%

Contains more Vitamin K +19%

Contains more Vitamin E +230.8%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +172.1%

Contains more Folate +350%

Equal in Vitamin B6 - 0.056

Equal in Vitamin B12 - 0.22

Glycemic index

The glycemic indices of both kinds of cheese are equal to 0. Check our glycemic index chart page for more information about the GI values of other foods. 

Probiotics

Cream cheese and goat cheese contain friendly species of bacteria such as Lactobacillus. These kinds of probiotics offer a lot of health benefits, such as supporting digestion and boosting the immune system (9). 

Goat cheese may contain L. acidophilus or L. plantarum, depending on its variety, while cream cheese usually has L. chungangensis (10) (11). L. chungangensis consumption may lead to higher levels of short-chain fatty acids, which may be beneficial in fighting inflammation. 

Goat cheese health impacts

Cream cheese health impacts

Negative health impacts of cream cheese

Lactose-intolerant people who overeat cream cheese will have bloating and diarrhea, but only in extreme circumstances. Cream cheese is processed cheese, and most cream cheese available in stores is processed and contains preservatives. Consuming these cheeses may have negative consequences on one's general health (8).

Cream cheese is high in saturated fats, which have adverse effects on cardiovascular health and metabolic health, increasing the mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases (3).