Barley flour or meal
Barley flour or meal is a grain, containing 357 calories per 100g. It is an excellent source of Carbohydrate and Manganese, providing 60% and 51% of the Daily Value respectively. This grain is rich in dietary fiber. Grains are a primary source of carbohydrates, B vitamins, and minerals. Whole grains retain the bran and germ, providing substantially more fiber and micronutrients than refined grains. Our database tracks 84 nutrients for this food, plus insulin index, environmental footprint data.
Top Nutrients
Data for 84 of 150 tracked nutrients
Nutrient Fingerprint
How this food scores across key nutrient categories, as a percentage of the daily recommended value per 100 g. Based on USDA DRIs for adults.
Complete Nutrient Profile
Macronutrients 10
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Foundation | 9.9 | g | — | 0% |
| Calories Foundation | 357 | kcal | — | — |
| Energy (kJ) SR | 1,443 | kj | — | — |
| Protein Foundation | 8.7 | g | — | 16% |
| Total Fat Foundation | 2.5 | g | — | — |
| Carbohydrate Foundation | 77.4 | g | — | 60% |
| Fiber Foundation | 12.8 | g | — | 34% |
| Total Sugars SR | 0.80 | g | — | — |
| Starch Foundation | 56.9 | g | — | — |
| Ash Foundation | 1.5 | g | — | — |
Minerals 10
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium Foundation | 35.6 | mg | — | 4% |
| Iron Foundation | 3.3 | mg | — | 41% |
| Magnesium Foundation | 88.0 | mg | — | 22% |
| Phosphorus Foundation | 234 | mg | — | 34% |
| Potassium Foundation | 367 | mg | — | 11% |
| Sodium Foundation | 20.3 | mg | — | 1% |
| Zinc Foundation | 2.1 | mg | — | 20% |
| Copper Foundation | 0.39 | mg | — | 44% |
| Manganese Foundation | 1.2 | mg | — | 51% |
| Selenium Foundation | 13.1 | µg | — | 24% |
Vitamins 26
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A (RAE) SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Vitamin A (IU) SR | 0 | IU | — | — |
| Retinol SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Beta-Carotene SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Alpha-Carotene SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Beta-Cryptoxanthin SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Lycopene SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Lutein + Zeaxanthin SR | 160 | µg | — | — |
| Vitamin C SR | 0 | mg | — | — |
| Vitamin D SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Vitamin D (IU) SR | 0 | IU | — | — |
| Vitamin E SR | 0.57 | mg | — | 4% |
| Vitamin K1 SR | 2.2 | µg | — | 2% |
| Thiamin (B1) Foundation | 0.23 | mg | — | 19% |
| Riboflavin (B2) Foundation | 0.15 | mg | — | 11% |
| Niacin (B3) Foundation | 5.9 | mg | — | 37% |
| Pantothenic Acid (B5) SR | 0.14 | mg | — | 3% |
| Vitamin B6 Foundation | 0.20 | mg | — | 15% |
| Biotin (B7) Foundation | 8.6 | µg | — | 29% |
| Folate SR | 8.0 | µg | — | 2% |
| Folic Acid SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Folate (food) SR | 8.0 | µg | — | — |
| Folate (DFE) SR | 8.0 | µg | — | — |
| Vitamin B12 SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Choline SR | 37.8 | mg | — | 7% |
| Betaine SR | 65.5 | mg | — | — |
Fatty Acids 7
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturated Fat SR | 0.34 | g | — | — |
| Monounsaturated Fat SR | 0.20 | g | — | — |
| Polyunsaturated Fat SR | 0.77 | g | — | — |
| Cholesterol SR | 0 | mg | — | — |
| Omega-3 EPA SR | 0 | g | — | — |
| Omega-3 DPA SR | 0 | g | — | — |
| Omega-3 DHA SR | 0 | g | — | — |
Individual Fatty Acids 10
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butyric Acid (4:0) SR | 0 | g | — | — |
| Caproic Acid (6:0) SR | 0 | g | — | — |
| Caprylic Acid (8:0) SR | 0 | g | — | — |
| Capric Acid (10:0) SR | 0 | g | — | — |
| Lauric Acid (12:0) SR | 0.004 | g | — | — |
| Myristic Acid (14:0) SR | 0.008 | g | — | — |
| Palmitic Acid (16:0) SR | 0.29 | g | — | — |
| Stearic Acid (18:0) SR | 0.01 | g | — | — |
| Linoleic Acid (18:2) SR | 0.69 | g | — | 4% |
| Linolenic Acid (18:3) SR | 0.08 | g | — | — |
Amino Acids 18
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tryptophan SR | 0.17 | g | — | — |
| Threonine SR | 0.36 | g | — | — |
| Isoleucine SR | 0.38 | g | — | — |
| Leucine SR | 0.71 | g | — | — |
| Lysine SR | 0.39 | g | — | — |
| Methionine SR | 0.20 | g | — | — |
| Cystine SR | 0.23 | g | — | — |
| Phenylalanine SR | 0.59 | g | — | — |
| Tyrosine SR | 0.30 | g | — | — |
| Valine SR | 0.52 | g | — | — |
| Arginine SR | 0.53 | g | — | — |
| Histidine SR | 0.24 | g | — | — |
| Alanine SR | 0.41 | g | — | — |
| Aspartic Acid SR | 0.66 | g | — | — |
| Glutamic Acid SR | 2.7 | g | — | — |
| Glycine SR | 0.38 | g | — | — |
| Proline SR | 1.2 | g | — | — |
| Serine SR | 0.44 | g | — | — |
Nutrient Density Score
The NRF9.3 score measures overall nutritional quality per 100 kcal. It rewards 9 nutrients to encourage (protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium) and penalizes 3 to limit (saturated fat, added sugars, sodium). Higher is better; negative scores indicate the food is high in limit nutrients relative to its beneficial content.
NRF9.3 index: Fulgoni et al. (2009), J Nutr 139(8). DVs based on FDA 2020 reference values.
Nutrient Interactions in This Food
Nutrients in this food that enhance or compete with each other during absorption.
✔ Synergies — nutrients that help each other
Vitamin B6 may enhance intracellular magnesium accumulation. Combined supplementation has shown greater benefits for stress and anxiety than magnesium alone.
Pouteau et al., PLoS One, 2018
⚠ Antagonisms — nutrients that compete
High zinc intake induces metallothionein in enterocytes, which traps copper and blocks its absorption. Prolonged high-dose zinc can cause copper deficiency.
Prasad et al., JAMA, 1978; Fosmire, Am J Clin Nutr, 1990
Zinc and non-heme iron compete for the same intestinal transporter (DMT1). High doses of one can reduce absorption of the other when taken simultaneously.
Rossander-Hulten et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 1991
Phytates in high-fibre foods (whole grains, legumes) bind non-heme iron and reduce its bioavailability. Soaking, sprouting, and fermentation reduce phytate content.
Hurrell & Egli, Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 2010
Phytates in fibre-rich foods chelate zinc, reducing its bioavailability by up to 50% in high-phytate diets. This is a major concern in plant-based diets.
Sandstrom, Food Nutr Res, 1997
Manganese and iron share the DMT1 transporter and compete for absorption. High iron status reduces manganese absorption and vice versa.
Erikson et al., Pharmacol Ther, 2007
Amino Acid Profile
Essential amino acid composition compared to the WHO/FAO adult reference pattern. The Amino Acid Score indicates protein quality — 100 means all essential amino acid requirements are met.
✓ Complete protein — all essential amino acids meet or exceed WHO reference levels.
All Amino Acids (18)
| Amino Acid | g / 100g | mg / g protein |
|---|---|---|
| Tryptophan | 0.17 | 20.1 |
| Threonine | 0.36 | 40.8 |
| Isoleucine | 0.38 | 43.9 |
| Leucine | 0.71 | 81.8 |
| Lysine | 0.39 | 44.8 |
| Methionine | 0.20 | 23.2 |
| Cystine | 0.23 | 26.6 |
| Phenylalanine | 0.59 | 67.5 |
| Tyrosine | 0.30 | 34.5 |
| Valine | 0.52 | 59.0 |
| Arginine | 0.53 | 60.3 |
| Histidine | 0.24 | 27.1 |
| Alanine | 0.41 | 46.9 |
| Aspartic Acid | 0.66 | 75.1 |
| Glutamic Acid | 2.7 | 314.3 |
| Glycine | 0.38 | 43.6 |
| Proline | 1.2 | 143.0 |
| Serine | 0.44 | 50.8 |
Fatty Acid Profile
Breakdown of fat types per 100g. A healthy fat profile favours unsaturated fats (mono + poly) and a balanced omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.
How Cooking Changes Nutrients
Estimated percentage of each nutrient retained after cooking, based on USDA retention factors for the “Flour & Meal” food category. Values of 100% mean no loss; lower values indicate nutrients lost to heat, water, or oxidation.
Source: USDA Table of Nutrient Retention Factors, Release 6 (2007). Retention values are category-level averages — actual retention depends on cooking time, temperature, and water volume.
Insulin Response
The Insulin Index (II) measures the actual insulin response to food on a scale where white bread = 100. Unlike the Glycemic Index (which only measures blood sugar), the II captures the full hormonal response — including the effect of protein and fat on insulin secretion. This is why high-protein foods like meat and dairy can have significant insulin scores despite having low or zero GI values.
Source: Holt et al. 1997; Bao et al. 2016; Bell 2014
Environmental Impact
Environmental footprint per kilogram of food produced. Data represents the global average for the “Maize (Meal)” category.
- Global averages: These figures are production-weighted averages from a meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms across 119 countries (Poore & Nemecek, 2018). Actual impact varies enormously by farming method, geography, and supply chain.
- System boundary: Cradle-to-retail only — does not include consumer transport, home cooking energy, or food waste.
- Soil carbon not included: This data does not account for soil carbon sequestration. Some argue that well-managed regenerative grazing partially offsets ruminant emissions; however, full lifecycle accounting — including methane, land-use change, and the opportunity cost of using land for grazing vs. reforestation — typically makes the net footprint of ruminant meat higher, not lower. This is especially relevant in temperate grassland regions like Ireland.
- Not gospel: This data is informational and illustrative. It is useful for understanding relative magnitudes, but should not be treated as precise measurements for any individual product or farm.
Source: Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science 360(6392). Meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms, 119 countries, 46 product categories.
Global Supply: Cereals
Top 10 countries by per capita supply of the “Cereals” food group (kcal/capita/day, 2023). This is food group–level data from FAO Food Balance Sheets, not specific to this individual food.
Global Supply Trend (1961–2023)
+8%Source: FAO Food Balance Sheets (2023). Supply = production + imports − exports − waste, converted to kcal/capita/day.
Related Foods in Cereal Grains and Pasta
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in Barley flour or meal?
Barley flour or meal contains 357 kcal per 100 grams, making it a calorie-dense food. The energy comes from 8.7g of protein (10% of calories), 2.5g of fat (6%), and 77.4g of carbohydrates (87%). Carbohydrates are the primary energy source.
What is Barley flour or meal most nutritious for?
The standout nutrient in Barley flour or meal is Carbohydrate, providing 77.4 g per 100g (60% of the Daily Value). It is also a notable source of Manganese (51% DV). Our database tracks 84 individual nutrients for this food, allowing detailed comparison across vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.
Is Barley flour or meal high in protein?
Barley flour or meal contains 8.7g of protein per 100 grams. While not a high-protein food, it can contribute to daily protein needs as part of a varied diet.
How much fiber is in Barley flour or meal?
Yes, Barley flour or meal is rich in dietary fiber with 12.8g per 100 grams. The daily recommended intake is 25-38g, so a serving contributes meaningfully toward that goal. Dietary fiber supports digestive health and is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
What is the insulin index of Barley flour or meal?
Barley flour or meal has a high insulin response (II: 65) (estimated from macronutrient composition) on the insulin index scale (white bread = 100). Foods with high insulin scores stimulate significant insulin release, which may be relevant for blood sugar management. Note that the insulin index can differ substantially from the glycemic index — dairy products and high-protein foods often have higher insulin responses than their GI would suggest.