Barley vs Pop Tart

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

Barley

per 1 cup cooked (157g)

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

Pop Tart

per 1 pastry (52g)

200 cal
2g Protein
38g Carbs
5g Fat
Full Pop Tart macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Barley Pop Tart Difference
Calories 193 cal 200 cal -4% Barley
Protein 3.5g 2g +75% Barley
Carbs 44g 38g +16% Barley
Fat 0.7g 5g -86% Barley

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

Quick Take

Barley delivers 193 calories per serving with 3.5g protein, 44g carbs, and 0.7g fat. Pop Tart delivers 200 calories with 2g protein, 38g carbs, and 5g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 7 calories per serving, so calorie load is essentially equivalent. Both deliver similar protein density.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Barley gives you 7 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. Pop Tart brings 200 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

Pop Tart fits cleanly into keto with only 38g carbs. Barley at 44g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Barley or Pop Tart?

Barley has more protein: 3.5g vs 2g per serving. That's a difference of 1.5g.

Which has fewer calories, Barley or Pop Tart?

Barley has 193 calories per serving vs 200 calories in Pop Tart — a difference of 7 calories.

Is Barley or Pop Tart better for keto?

Pop Tart is the better keto choice at 38g carbs per serving vs 44g carbs in Barley.

Is Barley or Pop Tart better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Barley gives you more calorie flexibility (7 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

Pop Tart

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 Barley and Pop Tart stack up:

Full Barley guideFull Pop Tart guideAll comparisons