Barley vs Sushi

Side-by-side macro comparison. Barley vs Sushi 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

Sushi

per 1 California roll (8 pieces)

255 cal
9g Protein
38g Carbs
7g Fat
Full Sushi macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Barley Sushi Difference
Calories 193 cal 255 cal -24% Barley
Protein 3.5g 9g -61% Barley
Carbs 44g 38g +16% Barley
Fat 0.7g 7g -90% 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. Sushi delivers 255 calories with 9g protein, 38g carbs, and 7g fat. The most meaningful difference: Barley saves 62 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. For protein density per calorie, Sushi wins at 14% of calories from protein.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Barley gives you 62 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), Sushi delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Sushi brings 255 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Sushi delivers 9g 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

Sushi 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 Sushi?

Sushi has more protein: 9g vs 3.5g per serving. That's a difference of 5.5g.

Which has fewer calories, Barley or Sushi?

Barley has 193 calories per serving vs 255 calories in Sushi — a difference of 62 calories.

Is Barley or Sushi better for keto?

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

Is Barley or Sushi better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Barley gives you more calorie flexibility (62 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Sushi delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Sushi.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Barley

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Sushi

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Sushi

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 Sushi stack up:

Full Barley guideFull Sushi guideAll comparisons