Barley vs Green Peas

Side-by-side macro comparison. Barley vs Green Peas 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

Green Peas

per 1 cup (134g)

117 cal
8g Protein
21g Carbs
0.4g Fat
Full Green Peas macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Barley Green Peas Difference
Calories 193 cal 117 cal +65% Barley
Protein 3.5g 8g -56% Barley
Carbs 44g 21g +110% Barley
Fat 0.7g 0.4g +75% 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. Green Peas delivers 117 calories with 8g protein, 21g carbs, and 0.4g fat. The most meaningful difference: Green Peas saves 76 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, Green Peas gives you 76 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), Green Peas 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. Green Peas delivers 8g 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

Green Peas fits cleanly into keto with only 21g carbs. Barley at 44g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Barley or Green Peas?

Green Peas has more protein: 8g vs 3.5g per serving. That's a difference of 4.5g.

Which has fewer calories, Barley or Green Peas?

Green Peas has 117 calories per serving vs 193 calories in Barley — a difference of 76 calories.

Is Barley or Green Peas better for keto?

Green Peas is the better keto choice at 21g carbs per serving vs 44g carbs in Barley.

Is Barley or Green Peas better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Green Peas gives you more calorie flexibility (76 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Green Peas delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Green Peas.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Green Peas

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Green Peas

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Green Peas

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:

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Related Comparisons

Other ways Barley and Green Peas stack up:

Full Barley guideFull Green Peas guideAll comparisons