A cereal grain used as a slow-digesting carbohydrate. It is high in soluble fiber, especially beta-glucan, and has a lower glycemic effect than rice, which is why it turns up in weight-control and diabetic foods. Pearled barley has had the hull removed, which lowers the fiber somewhat. Barley grass is a different ingredient, a young green shoot used as a vegetable.
How it appears on labels
You may see it listed as pearled barley, cracked pearled barley, ground barley, grain barley, barley flour, whole grain barley.
Find foods with or without it
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Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual, nutritional requirements of dogs and cats
- AAFCO ingredient definitions
