Barley vs Red Wine

Side-by-side macro comparison. Barley vs Red Wine 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

Red Wine

per 5 oz (147ml)

125 cal
0.1g Protein
4g Carbs
0g Fat
Full Red Wine macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Barley Red Wine Difference
Calories 193 cal 125 cal +54% Barley
Protein 3.5g 0.1g +3400% Barley
Carbs 44g 4g +1000% 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. Red Wine delivers 125 calories with 0.1g protein, 4g carbs, and 0g fat. The most meaningful difference: Red Wine saves 68 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, Red Wine gives you 68 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

Red Wine fits cleanly into keto with only 4g carbs. Barley at 44g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Barley or Red Wine?

Barley has more protein: 3.5g vs 0.1g per serving. That's a difference of 3.4g.

Which has fewer calories, Barley or Red Wine?

Red Wine has 125 calories per serving vs 193 calories in Barley — a difference of 68 calories.

Is Barley or Red Wine better for keto?

Red Wine is the better keto choice at 4g carbs per serving vs 44g carbs in Barley.

Is Barley or Red Wine better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Red Wine gives you more calorie flexibility (68 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

Red Wine

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 Red Wine stack up:

Full Barley guideFull Red Wine guideAll comparisons