Babyfood, cereal, barley, dry fortified
Whole food · Baby Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a finely milled, dry fortified cereal powder made from pearled barley, designed as a first solid food for infants. It has a neutral, slightly nutty flavor and a smooth, creamy texture when mixed with liquid, making it easy for babies to swallow. Nutritionally, it's a powerhouse of energy and protein, specifically fortified with iron and other vitamins critical for early development.
Calorie split: 14% protein · 71% carbs · 15% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
Parents love it for its simplicity and reliability as a foundational first food. Its bland, versatile base easily accepts fruit or vegetable purees, allowing babies to explore new flavors without overwhelm.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high carbohydrate content (69.4g/100g) and added sugars (13.2g/100g) can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes if served alone. To counteract this, always mix it with a source of protein or fat, such as breast milk, formula, or a spoonful of avocado or nut butter, and keep portions small.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of energy for growing babies (376 kcal/100g).
- Fortified with iron to prevent deficiency and support brain development.
- High in protein (13.2g/100g) for muscle and tissue growth.
- Good source of dietary fiber (6.6g/100g) to support digestive health.
- Low in fat, making it a lean option for introducing solids.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Barley is one of the oldest cultivated grains, with evidence of its use dating back to 8000 BCE in the Fertile Crescent, long before it became a staple in the baby food aisle.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 6.8 g |
| Energy | 376 kcal |
| Energy | 1574 kj |
| Protein | 13.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 6.6 g |
| Ash | 4.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 69.4 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 6.6 g |
| Total Sugars | 13.2 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 643 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 48.2 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 115 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 333 mg |
| Potassium, K | 467 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 33.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 3.1 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.47 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 30.2 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.89 mg |
| Riboflavin | 1.1 mg |
| Niacin | 14.3 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 4.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.71 mg |
| Folate, total | 179 ug |
| Folic acid | 156 ug |
| Folate, food | 23.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 287 ug |
| Choline, total | 45.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 3.6 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 3.6 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 170 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 5.0 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 4.9 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 286 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 7.1 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 2.3 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.89 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.60 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.28 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.4 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.22 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.9 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 3.5 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.32 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Babyfood, grape juice, no sugar, canned — USDA does not publish this profile for Babyfood.
| Threonine | 0.02 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.01 g |
| Leucine | 0.02 g |
| Lysine | 0.02 g |
| Methionine | 0.03 g |
| Cystine | 0.01 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.02 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.02 g |
| Valine | 0.02 g |
| Arginine | 0.06 g |
| Histidine | 0.03 g |
| Alanine | 0.04 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.10 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.18 g |
| Glycine | 0.03 g |
| Proline | 0.03 g |
| Serine | 0.04 g |
FAQ
At what age can I introduce this cereal to my baby?
It is typically introduced around 4-6 months, when a baby shows signs of readiness for solids, such as good head control and interest in food. Always consult your pediatrician first.
Is this cereal a common allergen?
Barley contains gluten, so it is not suitable for babies with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Introduce it alone and wait a few days to watch for any allergic reaction.
How do I prepare it properly?
Mix the dry powder with warm breast milk, formula, or water to a smooth, thin consistency. As your baby gets older, you can make it thicker or mix in purees.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.76 kcal/g · 14% calories from protein · 6.6 g fiber · 13.2 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.07 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.