NOW Foods Barley Rice Protein Powder (1.5 lb Unflavored)
A Smooth, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free Upcycled Plant Protein That Dissolves Without the Gritty Chalkiness
If you have ever tried a typical plant protein shake, you probably know the feeling: gritty texture, bitter plant aftertaste, and a stomach that feels heavy or bloated for hours. Most plant shakes rely on heavy pea or soy isolates that do not mix smoothly in plain water and overpower whatever smoothie you put them in.
NOW Sports Barley Rice Protein Powder solves this issue with innovative food science. By pairing protein extracted from USA-grown barley and rice, this powder dissolves completely clear of thick sludge, delivers a remarkably neutral taste, and provides 10 grams of clean protein per 50-calorie serving with zero grams of sugar and zero grams of fat.
Quick Product Highlights at a Glance:
✓10g Pure Plant Protein per Serving: Only 50 calories, 1g carbohydrate, 0g sugar, and 0g fat per 2 level scoops.
✓Superior Mixability: Natural solubility allows it to blend smoothly into water, iced coffee, oatmeal, soups, or baked recipes with zero chalky residue.
✓Eco-Friendly Upcycled Nutrition: Certified by the Upcycled Food Association to prevent food waste while using significantly less land and fresh water than traditional dairy farming.
✓Free of Major Allergens: Formulated without dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, tree nuts, or artificial sweeteners.
✓Rigorously Screened: Steroid-tested, Non-GMO Project Verified, and analyzed in ISO/IEC 17025 accredited analytical laboratories.
The Science of Combining Barley and Rice: Complete Amino Acid Balance
A common challenge with single-source plant proteins is their amino acid balance. For your body to rebuild muscle tissue, manufacture cellular enzymes, and support healthy immune function, it needs nine essential amino acids that your body cannot produce on its own (World Health Organization / FAO / UNU Technical Report Series 935).
Grains like rice are naturally abundant in sulfur-containing amino acids such as methionine and cysteine, but they are relatively low in lysine. Barley, on the other hand, balances this profile by supplying complementary amino chains. When barley and rice protein fractions are combined, their nutritional profiles interlock like puzzle pieces:
Protein Source
Texture & Taste
Digestive Comfort
Allergen Profile
Barley + Rice Blend
Silky smooth, light, completely neutral
Very easy on stomach; no lactose gas or heavy bloating
Frequent gas, cramping, or bloating for lactose-intolerant adults
Major allergen (contains milk and lactose)
Beyond amino acid synergy, this product uses an innovative upcycling process. It recovers valuable grain proteins from American agricultural brewing streams that would otherwise go unused, giving you premium sports nutrition while significantly shrinking your environmental footprint.
Purity & Safety: NOW Foods Rigorous In-House Lab Testing
Plant proteins naturally absorb minerals from the soil and groundwater while growing. Unfortunately, in lesser brands, this means plant powders can accumulate trace environmental contaminants like heavy metals. If a brand does not test every incoming lot, those impurities end up in your morning glass.
NOW Foods maintains one of the most comprehensive private analytical testing operations in North America, with state-of-the-art laboratories certified under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards. Their team of in-house chemists, toxicologists, and microbiologists conducts over 31,000 analytical tests every single month to verify that what is stated on the label matches what is in the container.
How NOW Screens Every Batch of Barley Rice Protein Powder:
ICP-MS Heavy Metal Quantification: NOW utilizes Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) capable of detecting trace lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury down to parts-per-billion (ppb). Internal contaminant release thresholds meet or exceed strict U.S. FDA food safety limits and California Proposition 65 environmental guidelines.
Microbiological Screening: Every batch is tested using validated AOAC and USP bacteriological methods to confirm the complete absence of pathogens including Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, and Staphylococcus aureus, alongside strict thresholds for total aerobic plate counts, yeast, and mold.
Chromatographic Identity & Potency Verification: Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), raw protein matrices are tested to confirm exact amino acid concentration and guarantee absence of synthetic adulterants or nitrogen spiking.
Informed-Sport & Steroid Screening: As part of the NOW Sports quality protocol, ingredients undergo rigorous screening for banned substances, anabolic steroids, and stimulants prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), making this powder safe for competitive collegiate and professional athletes.
Transparency is key when planning your daily macronutrients. Below is the verified manufacturer label breakdown for NOW Sports Barley Rice Protein Powder (Item # 1991 / VitaNet SKU # N1991):
Vit. D 0mcg 0% • Calcium 10mg 0% • Iron 0.2mg 2% • Potas. 100mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Typical Amino Acid Profile (mg per 13g Serving)
Natural occurrence subject to seasonal agricultural variability:
Essential Amino Acids:
L-Histidine: 216 mg
L-Isoleucine (BCAA): 411 mg
L-Leucine (BCAA): 743 mg
L-Lysine: 335 mg
L-Methionine: 190 mg
L-Phenylalanine: 595 mg
L-Threonine: 370 mg
L-Tryptophan: 151 mg
L-Valine (BCAA): 564 mg
Total BCAAs per serving: 1,718 mg (1.72 grams)
Non-Essential Amino Acids:
L-Alanine: 462 mg | L-Arginine: 469 mg
L-Aspartic Acid: 913 mg | L-Cysteine: 152 mg
L-Glutamic Acid: 2,393 mg | Glycine: 425 mg
L-Proline: 1,047 mg | L-Serine: 441 mg
L-Tyrosine: 407 mg
Single Ingredient: Barley Rice Protein.
Allergen Information: Not manufactured with wheat, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut, or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Country of Origin & Purity: Grown and made in the USA. Packaged by NOW Foods in Bloomingdale, IL 60108.
Practical Usage Guide, Real-World Tips & Who Should Avoid It
Important Health Note: Celiac Disease & Gluten Restrictions
While this formula is completely dairy-free, soy-free, and wheat-free, it is derived from barley. Barley naturally contains the gluten grain protein hordein. If you have celiac disease or a medically diagnosed severe gluten allergy, do not use this product. Instead, choose our certified gluten-free sprouted brown rice or pea protein options.
Who Benefits Most from Barley Rice Protein?
People Sensitive to Dairy and Soy: If whey gives you stomach cramps or soy triggers dietary concerns, this gentle grain blend provides an easy-to-digest alternative.
Those Seeking Light, Non-Heavy Protein: Many commercial shakes feel heavy like a milkshake. This powder mixes light like a thirst-quenching drink.
Home Bakers and Oatmeal Lovers: Because it is unflavored with no added stevia, monk fruit, or artificial gums, you can stir it into hot breakfast cereal, pancake batter, or homemade muffin mixes without altering texture or sweetness.
Active Adults & Seniors: Perfect for supplementing daily protein intake (10g to 20g) to protect lean muscle mass without overloading calories.
How to Prepare for Best Results:
Suggested Use: Add 2 level scoops daily to 8 oz. of cold water, juice, unsweetened almond milk, or your favorite smoothie beverage. Stir briskly with a spoon or shake in a shaker bottle for 15 seconds. For higher post-workout protein intake (20g protein), use 4 level scoops in 12–14 oz. of liquid.
Storage Advice: Store in a cool, dry, dark cupboard after opening. Do not eat the enclosed freshness packet. Use as a dietary supplement only; do not use as a sole source of nutrition for weight reduction.
Why Order NOW Barley Rice Protein from VitaNet, LLC?
When buying dietary supplements online, where you purchase matters just as much as what brand you select. Large automated marketplaces often suffer from unverified third-party resellers, heat-damaged inventory stored in non-temperature-controlled warehouses, and expired lots.
VitaNet, LLC is a family-owned, independent health food and supplement store based in Hartville, Ohio[cite: 1]. Since 1995, our team has served wellness-conscious customers nationwide with authentic, factory-fresh nutritional products stored in climate-controlled facilities[cite: 1].
The VitaNet Difference:
31+ Years of Independent Retail Heritage: We provide real nutritional expertise and personalized customer support rather than automated call trees[cite: 1]. Call our staff directly at 1-800-877-8702 or (330) 877-8786[cite: 1].
Guaranteed Authentic Sourcing: All NOW Foods products are delivered directly from authorized manufacturer distribution channels to our Hartville facility[cite: 1].
Unconditional 100% Money-Back Guarantee: We stand behind everything we sell[cite: 1]. If you are not satisfied, return it within 12 months for a complete refund of your purchase price—and we even pay the return shipping, whether the container is opened or unopened[cite: 1]!
A+ Rated with the Better Business Bureau: Shop with total peace of mind backed by over three decades of trusted consumer service[cite: 1].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does NOW Sports Barley Rice Protein taste like?
It has an exceptionally mild, clean, and neutral grain flavor with zero bitter plant notes and no artificial sweetness. Unlike flavored powders that use heavy sweeteners like stevia or sucralose, this unflavored powder allows you to control your own recipes without clashing flavors.
How does it mix compared to standard pea or brown rice protein?
Standard plant proteins often create a thick, gritty mouthfeel because plant starches do not dissolve readily. The upcycled barley-rice extract in this formula dissolves smoothly in plain water or juice with simple spoon stirring or a brief 15-second shaker cup shake.
Is NOW Barley Rice Protein Powder gluten-free?
No. Because it contains barley grain proteins, it is not suitable for individuals with celiac disease or diagnosed gluten sensitivities. While it is completely wheat-free, dairy-free, and soy-free, customers requiring strict gluten-free nutrition should choose certified gluten-free options like NOW Pea Protein or Sprouted Brown Rice Protein.
How does NOW test for heavy metals like lead and cadmium?
NOW tests raw materials and finished lots inside ISO/IEC 17025 accredited analytical laboratories using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This instrument measures elemental heavy metals down to parts-per-billion levels, ensuring the product stays strictly below limits set by the FDA and California Proposition 65.
Can I take this protein powder for muscle building after weightlifting?
Yes. Each 2-scoop serving supplies 10 grams of protein containing 1,718 mg of naturally occurring Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs: Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine). For a robust 20-gram post-workout protein shake, simply use 4 level scoops (26 grams) in 12–14 ounces of water or fruit juice.
