Barley vs Coca-Cola

Side-by-side macro comparison. Barley vs Coca-Cola 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

Coca-Cola

per 1 can (355ml)

140 cal
0g Protein
39g Carbs
0g Fat
Full Coca-Cola macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Barley Coca-Cola Difference
Calories 193 cal 140 cal +38% Barley
Protein 3.5g 0g 0% Barley
Carbs 44g 39g +13% Barley
Fat 0.7g 0g 0% 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. Coca-Cola delivers 140 calories with 0g protein, 39g carbs, and 0g fat. The most meaningful difference: Coca-Cola saves 53 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, Coca-Cola gives you 53 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

Coca-Cola fits cleanly into keto with only 39g carbs. Barley at 44g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Barley or Coca-Cola?

Barley has more protein: 3.5g vs 0g per serving. That's a difference of 3.5g.

Which has fewer calories, Barley or Coca-Cola?

Coca-Cola has 140 calories per serving vs 193 calories in Barley — a difference of 53 calories.

Is Barley or Coca-Cola better for keto?

Coca-Cola is the better keto choice at 39g carbs per serving vs 44g carbs in Barley.

Is Barley or Coca-Cola better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Coca-Cola gives you more calorie flexibility (53 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

Coca-Cola

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 Coca-Cola stack up:

Full Barley guideFull Coca-Cola guideAll comparisons