Healthy Food Guideby KarbCoach

Healthy Food Guide by KarbCoach

Starkist Barley & Beans Tomato Basil With Tuna: Food Integrity analysis

Updated 2026-10-19 · Starkist

Quick answer

Mixed integrity

Starkist barley & beans tomato basil with tuna received a Food Integrity Score of 68 out of 100 (mixed integrity). This reflects moderately processed and moderate additive load. The core ingredients (tuna, barley, white beans, tomatoes, carrots, peppers) are recognizable food, but the label adds a flavor system and texture helpers to make it shelf-stable and consistent. It is a reasonable occasional convenience meal rather than an everyday staple, and the list is moderately crowded for what it is. Main considerations include modified food starch and xanthan gum used for texture, vague natural flavors system, and refined sunflower oil. Simpler options: Choose products with fewer texture helpers and named flavor sources; make a simple version with canned tuna, barley, beans, and tomatoes.

Food Integrity Score 68/100

What stood out on the label?

  • Moderately processed
  • Moderate additive load
  • Transparency: Medium

What to watch?

  • Modified food starch and xanthan gum used for texture
  • Vague natural flavors system
  • Refined sunflower oil

Simpler options to consider

  • Choose products with fewer texture helpers and named flavor sources
  • Make a simple version with canned tuna, barley, beans, and tomatoes

You are viewing ingredients and processing. Switch to Longevity for nutrition and longer-term eating pattern fit.

Source data, GTIN, and Healthy Food Guide analysis details

Product facts

Product
Starkist Barley & Beans Tomato Basil With Tuna
Category
Prepared Meals (source: Entrees, Sides & Small Meals)
GTIN / UPC
00080000519740
Serving size
128 g (1 pouch)
Source data — ingredients
Ingredient list from product label data (see Sources)
Healthy Food Guide analysis
Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards. See methodology under Sources.
Data last verified

Food Integrity results

Barley & Beans Tomato Basil With Tuna

Starkist

Mixed integrity

Warning Signs

Modified food starch, xanthan gum, and citrus fiber show this is more than a simple tuna-and-barley pouch.

Consider This

Natural flavors, sunflower oil, and modified food starch are typical of factory-formulated shelf-stable meals.

Good Substitutes

Canned tuna with home-cooked barley, white beans, tomatoes, and fresh basil keeps the whole-food base without the texture helpers.

Overall Assessment

Mixed integrity

The core ingredients (tuna, barley, white beans, tomatoes, carrots, peppers) are recognizable food, but the label adds a flavor system and texture helpers to make it shelf-stable and consistent. It is a reasonable occasional convenience meal rather than an everyday staple, and the list is moderately crowded for what it is.

Key Highlights

What stood out

  • Modified food starch and xanthan gum used for texture
  • Vague natural flavors system
  • Refined sunflower oil

Family Watchlist

Ingredients some users may personally want to know about.

  • Sunflower oil — Refined seed oil
  • Modified food starch (corn) — Chemically altered starch
  • Spices — Broad category
  • Natural flavors including roasted garlic, basil — Vague flavor system
  • Xanthan gum — Gum texture helper

Highest concern ingredients

  • Natural flavors including roasted garlic, basil (7/10) — Vague flavor system
  • Xanthan gum (7/10) — Gum texture helper
  • Modified food starch (corn) (6/10) — Chemically altered starch

Better choice tips

  • Choose products with fewer texture helpers and named flavor sources.
  • Make a simple version with canned tuna, barley, beans, and tomatoes.

Ingredients

Ingredient list

LIGHT TUNA, COOKED BARLEY (BARLEY, WATER), WATER, COOKED WHITE BEANS (WHITE BEANS, WATER), TOMATOES (TOMATOES, TOMATO PUREE, TOMATO JUICE, SALT, CITRIC ACID, CALCIUM CHLORIDE), TOMATO PASTE, CARROTS, GREEN BELL PEPPERS, SUNFLOWER OIL, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF THE FOLLOWING: SALT, ONIONS, SUGAR, GARLIC, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH [CORN], SPICES, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVORS INCLUDING ROASTED GARLIC, BASIL, TAPIOCA FOOD STARCH, XANTHAN GUM, CITRUS FIBER.

Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.

Highest-concern ingredients first. Expand an item for notes.

  1. Natural flavors including roasted garlic, basilConcern 7/10 — Higher concernFlavor systemWatchlist · Additive · Vague label term

    What this is

    Flavor system

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Natural flavors are a vague flavor system that hides the full composition.

    Additional note

    Flavor system with vague composition behind the named items.

    Family watchlist

    Vague flavor system

  2. Xanthan gumConcern 7/10 — Higher concernGumWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Gum

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Gums are texture helpers that signal formulation rather than home cooking.

    Additional note

    Gum used for thickening and texture.

    Family watchlist

    Gum texture helper

  3. Modified food starch (corn)Concern 6/10 — Moderate concernModified starchWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Modified starch

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Modified starches are texture helpers rather than whole-food components.

    Additional note

    Chemically altered starch used for texture.

    Family watchlist

    Modified starch texture helper

  4. Sunflower oilConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernRefined oilWatchlist

    What this is

    Refined oil

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Refined seed oils are a common family watchlist item.

    Additional note

    Refined seed oil used for cooking and texture.

    Family watchlist

    Refined seed oil

View all 17 ingredient assessments
  1. Tapioca food starchConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernThickenerAdditive

    What this is

    Thickener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Refined starch functioning as a thickener beyond basic cooking.

    Additional note

    Refined starch used for thickening.

  2. Citrus fiberConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernFiber additiveAdditive

    What this is

    Fiber additive

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Isolated fiber added for texture rather than as a whole food.

    Additional note

    Isolated fiber used for texture and body.

  3. SpicesConcern 4/10 — Mild concernVague ingredientWatchlist · Vague label term

    What this is

    Vague ingredient

    Processing category

    Unknown / not listed

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Broad category hides which spices and any carriers are used.

    Additional note

    Broad spice category with no specific detail.

    Family watchlist

    Broad spice category

  4. Tomatoes (tomatoes, tomato puree, tomato juice, salt, citric acid, calcium chloride)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernFirming agentAdditive

    What this is

    Firming agent

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Calcium chloride and citric acid are small texture and acidity helpers.

    Additional note

    Tomato base with calcium chloride firming agent.

  5. Contains 2% or less of: salt, onions, sugar, garlicConcern 2/10 — Very low concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Processed

    Why it matters

    Small quantities of recognizable seasonings.

    Additional note

    Seasoning vegetables and small amounts of salt and sugar.

  6. Citric acidConcern 2/10 — Very low concernAcidulantAdditive

    What this is

    Acidulant

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Common acidulant used for flavor and preservation.

    Additional note

    Acidulant commonly used in foods.

  7. Light tunaConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Recognizable protein with category-normal canning.

    Additional note

    Recognizable fish, cooked and canned.

  8. Cooked barley (barley, water)Concern 0/10 — No meaningful concernWhole grain

    What this is

    Whole grain

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Simple grain with no added formulation helpers.

    Additional note

    Simple grain cooked in water.

  9. WaterConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Basic base ingredient.

    Additional note

    Plain water.

  10. Cooked white beans (white beans, water)Concern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Recognizable legume with no added helpers.

    Additional note

    Simple beans cooked in water.

  11. Tomato pasteConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Recognizable concentrated vegetable.

    Additional note

    Concentrated tomato.

  12. CarrotsConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Whole vegetable with no concern.

    Additional note

    Whole vegetable.

  13. Green bell peppersConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Whole vegetable with no concern.

    Additional note

    Whole vegetable.

This Food Integrity score estimates how close the ingredient profile is to simple, recognizable, high-integrity foods. It is not a medical safety rating. Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions.

How this product may fit different goals

The same food can look different depending on what matters most to you. Here is a general preview of how this product may align with several common goals.

  • Heart-Healthy Eating

    Watch-outs

    Metabolic Health

    For someone prioritizing Heart-Healthy Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.

    A consideration: Added-sodium ingredients (Mentions "salt". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • GLP-1 Eating Support

    Supportive

    Metabolic Health

    For someone prioritizing GLP-1 Eating Support, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.

    A supportive signal: Protein ingredients (Mentions "tuna". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • Appetite & Portion Awareness

    Supportive

    Metabolic Health

    For someone prioritizing Appetite & Portion Awareness, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.

    A supportive signal: Protein ingredients (Mentions "tuna". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • Workout Recovery

    Supportive

    Athletic Performance

    For someone prioritizing Workout Recovery, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.

    A supportive signal: Protein ingredients (Mentions "tuna". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • Strength & Protein Focus

    Supportive

    Athletic Performance

    For someone prioritizing Strength & Protein Focus, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.

    A supportive signal: Protein ingredients (Mentions "tuna". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • Vegetarian

    Watch-outs

    Dietary Patterns

    For someone prioritizing Vegetarian, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.

    A consideration: Meat/seafood ingredients (Mentions "tuna". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

See how this product fits your goals

Choose what matters most to you and explore a more detailed interpretation of this product's nutrition, ingredients, and tradeoffs.

Personalize this analysis

Understanding the Food Integrity analysis

What the Food Integrity analysis evaluates

The Food Integrity analysis focuses on how a packaged food is formulated and made. It examines processing level, ingredient quality, additives, oils, sweeteners, purity cues, and how clearly a label communicates what is in the product. The Food Integrity Score summarizes that formulation and transparency picture on a 0–100 scale. It is not a full nutrient report and it is not a personalized meal plan.

Why processing, ingredients, and transparency matter

Processing level and ingredient quality shape what you are actually eating beyond calories on the label. Additives, industrial oils, and intense sweeteners can change how clean or heavily engineered a product feels, even when the front of pack looks wholesome. Purity and transparency matter because incomplete or marketing-heavy labeling can hide tradeoffs that only show up when the full ingredient list is reviewed carefully.

Who may prioritize Food Integrity

Some people care mainly about Food Integrity because their dietary goals center on formulation rather than macros alone. Examples include checking vegetarian or vegan suitability, preferring simpler ingredient sources, avoiding certain additives or sweeteners, watching oil choices, or preferring less processed options. For those priorities, the Food Integrity Score can be the more practical first read.

How Food Integrity differs from Longevity

Food Integrity is the focused analysis of processing, ingredients, additives, purity, and transparency. Longevity is the broader analysis of nutritional composition, metabolic and dietary characteristics, processing, and ingredient quality together. Favorable nutrition values do not necessarily mean strong Food Integrity: a product can look balanced on macros yet still rely on heavy processing or additives that the Food Integrity analysis flags in more detail.

Why the two analyses overlap—and why to review Longevity too

The analyses overlap intentionally. Food Integrity–related characteristics contribute to Longevity, and Longevity still benefits from the same ingredient-quality lens. They are not competing verdicts; they answer different questions at different depths. Reviewing the Longevity analysis can add information about nutritional composition, metabolic characteristics, and dietary balance that Food Integrity alone does not emphasize. Looking at both usually gives the most complete understanding of tradeoffs.

Common questions about this product

Is Starkist Barley & Beans Tomato Basil With Tuna highly processed?

Food Integrity lists processing level as Moderately processed. That reflects formulation and processing signals from the ingredient analysis — not a medical or regulatory classification.

Why are the Longevity and Food Integrity scores different?

Longevity emphasizes nutrition per serving and longer-term dietary alignment. Food Integrity emphasizes ingredients, additives, processing, and label transparency. The same product can score differently on those lenses.

How much fiber is in one serving?

Starkist Barley & Beans Tomato Basil With Tuna shows about 2.94g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.

Does it contain added sugar?

Starkist Barley & Beans Tomato Basil With Tuna: 3g total sugar per serving; sweetener signals include sugar. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.

What helped the Longevity Score?

Key positives called out in the analysis include: Tuna and white beans provide solid protein and fiber; Barley and vegetables are recognizable whole-food ingredients; Ingredient list is relatively short for a prepared meal.

What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?

Key concerns noted include: Sunflower oil and modified food starch add processing; Sodium around 550 mg per serving is moderate; Contains added sugar and multiple thickeners and flavorings.

Who might evaluate this product differently?

People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same prepared meals differently. Use the goal preview on this page, then personalize in KarbCoach for your priorities.

Other published analyses in Prepared Meals, selected from the same Healthy Food Guide catalog.

Source data and Healthy Food Guide analysis

  1. Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
  2. Healthy Food Guide analysis (Longevity and Food Integrity) — Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards.
  3. How the Longevity Score is calculated
  4. How the Food Integrity Score is calculated
  5. Scoring models: KarbCoach Longevity and Food Integrity.
  6. Independent analysis. No manufacturer affiliation.
  7. Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions. Full sources and safety details.
Label accuracy and safety information

Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions.

Sources, citations & safety

See how this item lines up with your goals

Healthy Food Guide covers this product in detail. In KarbCoach, your goals shape what matters most for your meals.

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