Barley vs Tortilla

Side-by-side macro comparison. Barley vs Tortilla 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

Tortilla

per 1 large flour tortilla (64g)

218 cal
6g Protein
36g Carbs
5g Fat
Full Tortilla macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Barley Tortilla Difference
Calories 193 cal 218 cal -11% Barley
Protein 3.5g 6g -42% Barley
Carbs 44g 36g +22% 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. Tortilla delivers 218 calories with 6g protein, 36g carbs, and 5g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 25 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 25 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), Tortilla delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Tortilla brings 218 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Tortilla delivers 6g 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

Tortilla fits cleanly into keto with only 36g carbs. Barley at 44g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Barley or Tortilla?

Tortilla has more protein: 6g vs 3.5g per serving. That's a difference of 2.5g.

Which has fewer calories, Barley or Tortilla?

Barley has 193 calories per serving vs 218 calories in Tortilla — a difference of 25 calories.

Is Barley or Tortilla better for keto?

Tortilla is the better keto choice at 36g carbs per serving vs 44g carbs in Barley.

Is Barley or Tortilla better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Barley gives you more calorie flexibility (25 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Tortilla delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Tortilla.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Barley

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Tortilla

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Tortilla

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 Tortilla stack up:

Full Barley guideFull Tortilla guideAll comparisons