Apple Juice vs Barley

Side-by-side macro comparison. Apple Juice vs Barley per their standard serving sizes.

Apple Juice

per 240ml

114 cal
0.2g Protein
28g Carbs
0g Fat
Full Apple Juice macros →
vs

Barley

per 1 cup cooked (157g)

193 cal
3.5g Protein
44g Carbs
0.7g Fat
Full Barley macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Apple Juice Barley Difference
Calories 114 cal 193 cal -41% Apple
Protein 0.2g 3.5g -94% Apple
Carbs 28g 44g -36% Apple
Fat 0g 0.7g -100% Apple

Differences shown relative to Apple Juice. Positive = Apple Juice has more.

Quick Take

Apple Juice delivers 114 calories per serving with 0.2g protein, 28g carbs, and 0g fat. Barley delivers 193 calories with 3.5g protein, 44g carbs, and 0.7g fat. The most meaningful difference: Apple Juice saves 79 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. Both deliver similar protein density.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Apple Juice gives you 79 more calories of headroom per serving — that's room for an extra snack, more vegetables, or a higher-protein second portion. If protein density matters more (which it does for preserving muscle on a deficit), Barley delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Barley brings 193 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Barley delivers 3.5g of protein per serving, which directly feeds muscle protein synthesis. The best pick depends on whether you need more total calories or more usable protein.

For Keto / Low-Carb

Apple Juice fits cleanly into keto with only 28g carbs. Barley at 44g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Apple Juice or Barley?

Barley has more protein: 3.5g vs 0.2g per serving. That's a difference of 3.3g.

Which has fewer calories, Apple Juice or Barley?

Apple Juice has 114 calories per serving vs 193 calories in Barley — a difference of 79 calories.

Is Apple Juice or Barley better for keto?

Apple Juice is the better keto choice at 28g carbs per serving vs 44g carbs in Barley.

Is Apple Juice or Barley better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Apple Juice gives you more calorie flexibility (79 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Barley delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Barley.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Barley

Higher protein-to-calorie density + lower absolute fat = more satiety per calorie.

💪 Muscle Gain

Barley

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Apple Juice

Lower carbohydrate content fits keto and low-carb macros without burning your carb budget.

Both fit most balanced diets. These verdicts reflect macro-only comparisons — taste, satiety, cost, and personal preference also matter.

Find Your Personal Macros

The "right" food depends on your individual macro targets. Calculate yours in 60 seconds:

→ Calculate My Macros (Free)

Related Comparisons

Other ways Apple Juice and Barley stack up:

Full Apple Juice guideFull Barley guideAll comparisons