Apple vs Barley

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

Apple

per 1 medium apple (182g)

95 cal
0.5g Protein
25g Carbs
0.3g Fat
Full Apple 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 Barley Difference
Calories 95 cal 193 cal -51% Apple
Protein 0.5g 3.5g -86% Apple
Carbs 25g 44g -43% Apple
Fat 0.3g 0.7g -57% Apple

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

Quick Take

Apple delivers 95 calories per serving with 0.5g protein, 25g carbs, and 0.3g fat. Barley delivers 193 calories with 3.5g protein, 44g carbs, and 0.7g fat. The most meaningful difference: Apple saves 98 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 gives you 98 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 fits cleanly into keto with only 25g carbs. Barley at 44g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Apple or Barley?

Barley has more protein: 3.5g vs 0.5g per serving. That's a difference of 3g.

Which has fewer calories, Apple or Barley?

Apple has 95 calories per serving vs 193 calories in Barley — a difference of 98 calories.

Is Apple or Barley better for keto?

Apple is the better keto choice at 25g carbs per serving vs 44g carbs in Barley.

Is Apple or Barley better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Apple gives you more calorie flexibility (98 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

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 and Barley stack up:

Full Apple guideFull Barley guideAll comparisons