Product review: My first encounter with BARLEYmax
BARLEYmax. It's being touted as the greatest super food of all time and the king of cereal grains. BARLEYmax has finally appeared in our food supply in the form of three new breakfast cereals, the first products to be made with the super barley. It's been over 12 years in the making with scientists from CSIRO devoting their life work to breeding it, testing it, growing it as a commercial harvest, and finally working with a food company to create interesting novel products that showcase its benefits.
And benefits BARLEYmax does have. It ticks all the boxes as far as nutritionists go. Just check off these on your list of good things in the world of healthy eating. BARLEYmax is:
- wholegrain
- low GI for longer-lasting energy
- high fibre with 2 to 3 times more than any other grain
- high in soluble fibre as well as resistant starch, a type of non-digestible starch that helps promote healthy intestinal function by acting as ‘food' for the friendly bacteria in the bowel to promote the growth of healthy cells
- low in sugar and sodium
- high in protein, vitamins and antioxidants
So it was with a great degree of interest that I sampled the first two of three new cereals from a small manufacturer Goodness Super Foods.
Protein 1st
Claim: "Super wholegrains for balance, shape and energy release"
The first thing I noticed was a rich malty flavour which was very pleasant and inviting. So far, so good. The cereal consisted of dark golden-brown flakes of barley (looking similar to oats in appearance) with lighter tiny flakes of soy scattered in between. It seemed to me to be a little too well-browned, like a toasted muesli that's sat in the oven a little too long.
The list of ingredients told me that the main ingredient was BARLEYmax at 68%, then some golden syrup, soy flakes, amaranth 5% and finally 5% of honey. I guess that malty aroma I first detected came from the golden syrup and honey both of which would have contributed to the dark colour, darker than most other cereals.
The taste was somewhat disappointing after all the good news. I must admit I found it tasted a little dry, somewhat burnt in taste. It definitely needed a lift from a sliced banana or a couple of spoons of yoghurt or stewed apple to make it more interesting and palatable.
Digestive 1st
Claim: "Super whole grains for digestive and bowel health"
First impression not wonderful! This cereal had the same dark-brown colour as Protein 1st but with bits of dried apple and sultanas obvious among the flakes of barley. However it had less flavour than Protein 1st and tasted a little chaffy. The label said it contained 67% BARLEYmax mixed with sultanas, apples and honey.
Half a cup (45g) of Digestive 1st gives you 11g of fibre, which represents about one-third of your recommended fibre intake for the day of 30g.
Heart 1st
The third cereal appeared in supermarkets early in 2011. We taste-tested in March 2011 and found it dry, tough to chew, quite dark in colour with a slightly bitter-burnt flavour. It didn't taste sweet at all and was hard going to eat. We wouldn't buy it again - sorry.
Side by side with a basic muesli or fruit-and-flake cereal
The barley cereals knock the socks off Morning Sun natural muesli or the more popular Just Right (Kellogg) for fibre. For around the same kilojoules (calories), Digestive 1st and Protein 1st had triple the fibre, double the protein and one-third less carbohydrate which was a surprise.
At 6 to 9% fat, the fat was way higher than Just Right which has a low 1.5% but on a par with muesli at 7% where the fat is derived from oats (naturally rich in fat) as well as added nuts and seeds.
Both cereals are low in sodium although Digestive 1st has over twice the sodium of Protein 1st for some strange reason that I can't fathom. There aren't any sodium-based ingredients or additives on the Ingredient list.
Digestive 1st contains a preservative sulphur dioxide (220) to maintain the quality of the sultanas and dried apple it has but this may not be something that health-conscious consumers would like to see there.
All four cereals used the same serve size which was half a cup or 45g. All had very similar kilojoule counts - around 680kJ or 162 calories in a bowl.
See my summary of the nutrition figures. Right: shot of BarleyMax growing at Moree in northern NSW.
Rating:
Taste 6/10:
OK but a tad heavy-going. All cereals look and taste ‘heavier' that the common fruit-flake cereals such as Just Right or Sustain yet are not as chewy nor as hard-going as some toasted mueslis. Would be nicer with one-quarter natural muesli, oats or another cereal mixed through.
Nutrition 10/10:
BarleyMax comes up as the perfect cereal with all the right boxes ticked. Its big advantage is that it gives me barley in more accessible form than pearl barley (think soups) so I can eat a different grain to wheat and oats. And it boosts the fibre and resistant starch of your breakfast like no other. Unlike other supermarket cereals, it isn't fortified with the usual 4 B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and folate) and iron which is unusual. There's no information on the B content of the cereals on pack.
Digestive 1st has a low GI of only 39 while Protein 1st is 36. This is lower than a standard muesli at around 50 or Just Right at 60, according to the Low GI Shopper's Guide to GI Values 2011 edition.
Convenience 9/10:
Just pour into a bowl and eat
Read more
- Read about oats as one of my super foods - similar nutritionally to regular barley.
- Discover how CSIRO devloped this super grain - read the Barleymax story and listen to their scientist discuss it.
Like to have your product reviewed by Catherine?
This article was researched and written by Catherine Saxelby, an accredited nutritionist, author and award-winning food communicator.
Catherine Saxelby knows nutrition! From fast food to fat loss, she has written, researched and talked about virtually every aspect of healthy eating and her goal is to help busy women eat well, maintain a healthy weight and boost their energy.
Checkout Catherine’s other articles, books and product reviews or sign up for her Foodwatch newsletter. To have your product reviewed by Catherine, click here.
About the Author
Catherine Saxelby knows nutrition! From fast food to fat loss, she has written, researched and talked about virtually every aspect of healthy eating. Catherine is an award-winning nutritionist, food commentator, blogger and the author of 10 books.
Her book Nutrition for Life has clocked up sales of almost 500,000, making it one of the most enduring and popular general nutrition books. Her latest book - Catherine Saxelby's Food and Nutrition Companion - sums up all you need to know to eat well.
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Comments (42)
Petrea Doyle
I tried the Protein version and I liked the taste and how full it made me feel - though agree a little heavy going so have been mixing the Lowan brand muesli with it to give it a lift and am not enjoying it very much. I will try the digestive one this week as a change.
Petrea
Gina
Jodie
I've tried both of these cereals and prefer the protein version as I don't get hungry for the rest of the morning(usually with any cereal I'm starving within 1 1/2 to 2 hours). I do eat the digestive version as a change every now and again.
I do agree about the colour, when I opened my first box I thought I had a burnt batch! The flavour took some small adjustment, but I really like it. I also like the high fibre content of both cereals - they have certainly made a difference! ;)
Jodie
Diane
I have tried the Digestive 1st and did like it, however, I mixed it with some prunes,juice and yoghurt and sprinkled on some mixed nuts- about 1tbs. and I thought it was delicious.
donald williams
Catherine Saxelby
So far, have only seen the two cereals at the two big supermarkets (you know who they are - shall remain nameless). You could ask at your local health food store. Perhaps the manufacturer Popina is only distributing via supermarkets. It is based in Dandenong in Victoria at www.popina.com.au or (03) 8795 8900. Try calling and asking them where they distribute near you.
Tracey
I tried the Protein 1st this morning with 1/2 cup of skim milk and I really enjoyed the taste. I did notice that it was a dark colour however this didn't worry me. I have been looking for a high protein cereal for ages and have finally found on. I will definitely be eating Protein 1st on a regular basis.
Angelina
Catherine Saxelby
Louise H
I love the protein 1st cereal; I have it with blueberries, banana or strawberries. I find it filling and will keep me going until lunch. So it’s great for when I am busy at work and don’t get a chance to have morning tea. I think it’s a terrific, yummy cereal. I haven’t tried the digestive cereal as yet. A big thumbs up from me!!!:D
Margaret
carol k
Carol, NT
jess
Tony M
John
I always buy two/three packets at a time as it sells out pretty quickly at my local s/market
Tony
From http://www.goodnesssuperfoods.com.au/
It is a non-genetically modified barley grain that has been in development for almost 12 years via the CSIRO Food Futures National Research Flagship.
Catherine Saxelby
Catherine Saxelby
Leah
Catherine Saxelby
Janine Hannford
Danielle
chrissie
Barbara Hunter
fayr
I'll finish the box but if it doesn't improve, then I will go back to All-Bran.
Catherine Saxelby
Margaret Jones
John
Penny
Let me just say - Don't let Digestive 1 anywhere near the elderly!! If their stomachs are anything like mine, they won't make it to the toilet. ;D
But seriously, the first day I ate it, about 4 hours later, the gas started. Same the next day. By the 4 day, I was very lucky to make it to the toilet.
IT WORKS !!!
dave
At first it was like eating cardboard, but I soon got used to it. I have it 5 days per week. Might try diluting with more oats. Also I use one dessert spoon of maple syrup instead of sugar, with oat milk. Flavors blend perfectly.
Julie Masci
Amanda
geneva
Had mixed it with my regular museli to dilute it and used live yogurt for probiotics. I am relieved to hear other comments and
to know the reason as I thought I had a medical condition. It is an expensive lesson after buying 2 boxes and mixing it with other museli to throw out
Jenny
Catherine Saxelby
Dan
Winkey
Sean
I have been getting unflattering gas and I couldn't pin point it. Cut out a few gym supplements to no avail. Have a bit of a bloated/stomach discomfort some days too. It is all because I am eating too much of this cereal in the morning (a big bowl, well over 45g). I will stop eating it for the rest of the week and then re-introduce it back into my diet @ 25grams and work my way up to see what my body's threshold is. I was eating a large amount of it in the morning as I train every day and the low GI and protein content was appealing.
Jeanette
Goodness Superfoods
Glad to hear that lots of people out there are enjoying our product! Yes, the cereals are suitable for diabetics because they are low in GI. Do feel free to let us know your thoughts directly on our Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/GoodnessSuperfoods).
In regard to several frequently asked questions:
- Flatulence: yes, flatulence is a sign that your body is receiving greater fibre. Over time as your digestive system becomes used to higher amounts of fibre it will subside. If it's an embarrassing issue, it may be good to introduce BARLEYmax cereals slowly or mix it up with other healthy cereals (like Catherine mentioned) so that your body can slowly adjust to the fibre.
- Where to buy: Our products are stocked in Woolworths, Coles and IGAs around Australia. For detailed information on whether your local store stocks the particular product you want, check our website. To make things easier we will soon be launching an ecommerce facility on our website!
P.S. We are testing out a new reduced-sugar recipe for Digestive 1st if anyone is interested in sampling them! More details on our Facebook page.
Susan J
Have been eating BarleyMax porridge for 9 months now. Bad flatulence never went away (worst I have ever had). Also heartburn issues which developed slowly over time so I didn't make the connection with the porridge. Got so bad when I went to bed I was taking double strength Mylanta and waking several times in the night with pain that was only relieved by chewing on Rennies. Raised the head of the bed with bricks to try and help.
Was on the point of endoscopy and prescription drugs when I thought of the cereal and started eating plain oat porridge of Uncle Tobys multigrain. Heartburn went away in a week. I drink plenty.
After a month I tried the BarleyMax porridge again- after 3 days heartburn symptoms at night were developing again.
This is depressing as I would like to eat it but don't seem to be able to do so.
I would like to know if anyone else has had these symptoms of heartburn or if it unique to me!
Don