Oats vs Barley!

Barley and oats are two different kinds of cereals grown worldwide. These are not only consumed by human beings but animals as well. They are rich fibrous foods and provide sufficient nutrition to the body. Here, we will discuss the difference between oats and barley.

Oats:

Oats, scientifically known as Avena Sativa, are breakfast for around 90% of people nowadays because of its nutritional and healthy cholesterol-lowering properties. They are rich in protein, fiber, minerals, vitamins and other nutrients. It is also one of the components of muesli and the most popular health food.

Barley:

It is among the earliest grown grains which belong to the grass family. This grain is presently found among all regions of the world and is popular for providing high nutritional values. Barley is also used widely in making distilled beverages and beer.

It is available in the form of flour which is used as a thickener for soups and stews. Barley flour is also mixed with wheat flour to make some combination dishes.

Nutrition Comparison of Oats and Barley:

Components	Oats	Barley
Total Fat	10.8 g	0.7 g
Protein	26.4 g	3.5 g
Fiber	16.5 g	6.0 g
Carbs	103 g	44.3 g
Calcium	8 %	2 %
Saturated fat	1.9 g	0.1 g
Calories	193	607

Macronutrients:

The macronutrients present in barley are protein, carbohydrates, dietary fibers, monosaccharides, disaccharides, soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, thiamin, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, selenium, vitamin B6, etc.

On the other hand, the macronutrients present in oats are total fat, total carbohydrate, saturated fat, proteins, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, etc

Benefits of Oats and Barley

Oats Benefits

• They are very nutritious and a good source of carbs and fiber
• Oats are rich in antioxidants including avenanthramides
• Avenanthramides helps in lowering the blood pressure levels
• Oats help in improving blood sugar levels
• It also helps in weight loss
• It is also used to make facial scrubs
• Consuming oats in breakfast also helps in curing asthma
• It also helps in providing relief from constipation and irritable bowel movements
• They also contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants like thiamin, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, selenium, and iron
• It contains fiber (soluble and insoluble) that helps in lowering cholesterol and maintains blood glucose levels

Barley Benefits

• Barley helps in weight loss
• It helps in lowering the cholesterol levels
• Barley supports the cardiovascular system, therefore patien1ts suffering from heart diseases must consume barley once daily
• Barley contains phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, etc which helps in taking care of bone health
• It treats constipation and promotes healthy gut health

Side effects of eating Oats and Barley

Cons of Oats

• You should not consume oats if you feel difficulty in swallowing or chewing
• Poorly chewed oats can result in blockage of the intestine
• Regular consumption of oats can create problems related to disorders of the digestive tracts including esophagus, stomach and intestines

Cons of Barley

• People who are intolerance to wheat and suffering from celiac disease should not consume barley
• Barley contains fructans (a type of carbohydrate) which may cause bloating, gas in people suffering from irritable bowel diseases
• If you are a patient suffering from diabetes, then you must avoid consuming barley

Homemade Oats and Barley Recipes

You can make many delicious recipes by adding oats and barley and can eat at any time of the day. Here we have provides some easy-to-make mouth-watering recipes that you must try in your breakfast.

1. Oat Barley Adai

   Ingredients:

   • 1 cup brown/white rice
   • ½ cup split moong dal
   • ½ cup barley
   • ½ cup oats
   • 5-6 chillies
   • 4 red chillies
   • 7-8 curry leaves
   • 1 piece ginger
   • Pinch of hing (asafoetida)
   • Pinch of salt
   • 2 cups of water
   • A little amount of sesame oil

   Method:

   • Mix the first four items in the bowl. Wash and drain the items
   • Soak these grains for 3 hours in 2 cups of water
   • Grind curry leaves, green chillies, red chillies with a little amount of water
   • Add hing and salt to taste
   • Heat a pan on medium heat and pour the batter on it
   • Spread quickly and evenly to create a thin circle
   • Pour a few drops of sesame oil on the sides of the pan
   • When the lower side of the batter turns light brown in color, flip it and cook the other side for some time
   • As soon as the other side cooks, you can remove it
   • Serve hot by sprinkling some chat masalas or yogurt
2. Oats and Barley Porridge

   Ingredients

   • 1 cup of oats
   • 1 cup of barley
   • 1 spoon sugar
   • 2 cups of water
   • Salt to taste
   • 1 cup of cold milk
   • Chopped coriander leaves

   Method:

   • Add oats and all ingredients (except milk) into a pan
   • Cook for 10 minutes
   • Remember to stir continuously
   • As soon as the oats are cooked, remove from the gas and pour milk
   • Serve the delicious porridge by garnishing it with coriander leaves

Conclusion: Both oats and barley are a rich source of proteins, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. You are advised to consume any of the cereals in your breakfast daily to get the complete amount of nutrients required in your body.