Disclosed are food compositions containing proanthocyanidin-free barley and a nutritionally effective amount of an iron compound in an organoleptically acceptable composition. The proanthocyanidin-free barley food composition does not develop the gray color seen with typical commercially available barley flour compositions to which an iron compound has been added. Also disclosed are methods of making the food composition and methods for restoring nutritional iron balance by feeding the food compositions to an individual having iron deficiency.