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Lima Bean

Legume

Lima Bean

A nutrient-dense legume high in fiber and plant protein with a low glycemic index.

Large, flat, green or white legume known for its buttery texture and slightly sweet flavor, often used in soups, stews, and side dishes.

high-fiber plant protein source

Typical serving · 100g

Common varieties · Fordhook, Baby Lima, Sieva, Christmas, Dixie Butterpea

86health

Overall context score across nutrition, safety, and diet fit

At a glance

Quick facts

Simple indicators based on nutrition, processing, and diet fit.

High proteinHigh fiberLow glycemicWeight lossDiabetes-friendlyGut health

The story

What makes it unique

Lima beans are slow-digesting legumes high in soluble fiber and plant protein, which promote prolonged satiety and stable blood glucose levels. Their macronutrient profile is dominated by complex carbohydrates with minimal fat. As a minimally processed whole food, they retain their natural phytonutrient matrix.

Varieties: Fordhook · Baby Lima · Sieva · Christmas · Dixie Butterpea

#lima beans#legumes#plant protein#high fiber#low glycemic#gut health#weight loss food#butter beans

Per 100g

Nutrition breakdown

Macro balance and key metrics at a glance.

Energy

115kcal

Density 1.15 kcal/g

Protein

7.8g

Carbs

20.7g

Fat

0.4g

Fiber

7g

Sugar

2.9 g

Sodium

2 mg

Potassium

502 mg

Glycemic index

32

Glycemic load

7

Water content

68%

Standout compounds

Nutrient highlights

  • Fiber

    high

    supports digestive health and satiety

  • Molybdenum

    high

    essential for enzyme function and detoxification

  • Folate

    moderate

    crucial for cell division and DNA synthesis

  • Manganese

    moderate

    supports bone health and metabolism

  • Plant Protein

    moderate

    supports muscle maintenance and repair

Wellness map

Health scores & processing

Weight loss
82
Satiety
88
Blood sugar
85
Gut health
90
Heart health
85
Fitness
75
Processing
95

NOVA processing scale

1
Min
2
3
4
Ultra

minimally processed · Whole food

Raw or dried lima beans are unprocessed whole foods. Canned versions fall into group 3 due to added salt and preservation, but plain cooked beans are group 1.

Diet compatibility

  • Weight loss
  • Muscle gain
  • Diabetes
  • Gut health
  • Low carb
  • High protein
  • Heart health

Relative standing

Food rankings

Qualitative ranks compared to similar whole foods.

  • Satietyexcellent
  • Blood sugarexcellent
  • Nutrient densitygood
  • Fitness fuelgood
  • Processing qualityexcellent

Eat with confidence

Food safety profile

Raw lima beans contain naturally occurring cyanogenic glycosides that can release cyanide. Thorough cooking destroys these compounds, making them safe to eat. Canned lima beans are pre-cooked and safe.

85safety

Evidence confidence 95%

  • Pesticideslow
  • Antibioticslow
  • Heavy metalslow
  • Contaminationmoderate

Watch for

  • linamarin (cyanogenic glycoside)

Safer choices

Canned or thoroughly boiled lima beans

Prep tips

Soak dried beans overnight, discard water, and boil vigorously for at least 10-15 minutes to destroy cyanogenic glycosides before slow cooking.

Raw lima beans contain cyanogenic glycosides that release hydrogen cyanide when chewed; adequate cooking is required to neutralize this compound.

Deep dive

Health analysis

How this food may fit different goals and preparation choices.

  1. Weight loss

    High fiber and protein content increase satiety, reducing overall calorie intake by keeping you full longer.

  2. Blood sugar

    Low glycemic index and high soluble fiber slow carbohydrate absorption, preventing blood sugar spikes.

  3. Fitness & energy

    Provides sustained complex carbohydrate energy for endurance activities, though not ideal for rapid post-workout glycogen replenishment.

  4. Gut health

    Rich in prebiotic soluble fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria and supports regular bowel movements.

  5. Processing quality

    A whole, unprocessed food when bought dried or frozen; canned versions contain added sodium.

  6. Food safety

    Must be thoroughly cooked to destroy naturally occurring cyanogenic glycosides; never eat raw.

  7. Common mistakes

    Eating undercooked lima beans, or failing to rinse canned varieties to remove excess sodium.

  8. Best preparation

    Boiling thoroughly until tender, or simmering in soups and stews after an initial 10-minute boil.

Practical guide

Best use cases

When and how this food fits real eating patterns.

  • satiety-focused meals

    High fiber and protein content keeps you full for hours, reducing snacking between meals.

  • plant-based protein source

    Provides a substantial amount of plant protein per serving, ideal for vegan and vegetarian diets.

  • blood sugar friendly side dish

    Low glycemic index makes them a safe carbohydrate choice for stabilizing post-meal glucose.

  • slow-burning pre-workout fuel

    Complex carbohydrates offer sustained energy release for endurance training sessions.

Balance sheet

Pros & cons

Upsides

  • High in satiety-promoting fiber and protein
  • Low glycemic index stabilizes blood sugar
  • Rich in essential micronutrients like folate and manganese
  • Naturally gluten-free and cholesterol-free
  • Supports a healthy gut microbiome

Trade-offs

  • Contains cyanogenic glycosides when raw and must be thoroughly cooked
  • Can cause digestive discomfort and gas if not properly prepared
  • Not suitable for strict low-carb or ketogenic diets
  • Incomplete protein source requiring grain pairing

Fit check

Who is it for?

Great match

  • plant-based diets
  • blood sugar management
  • satiety-focused weight loss
  • endurance athletes seeking slow-release carbs

Consider alternatives

  • strict ketogenic diets
  • those with severe legume allergies
  • people sensitive to dietary fiber or FODMAPs

Side by side

How it compares

Open the full head-to-head analysis for nutrition, safety, and practical tradeoffs.

  • Lima Bean

    This food

    Lima Bean

    VS85% alike
    Edamame

    Compare with

    Edamame

    Edamame provides higher protein and healthy fats, while lima beans offer more carbohydrates for sustained energy.

    Edamame provides more protein and healthy fats, while lima beans offer more carbohydrates for sustained energy.

    Lima Bean vs Edamame
  • Lima Bean

    This food

    Lima Bean

    VS90% alike
    Black Beans

    Compare with

    Black Beans

    Black beans have slightly more protein and fiber, making them marginally better for satiety, though both are excellent choices.

    Black beans are slightly higher in protein and fiber, making them marginally better for satiety, though both are excellent legume choices.

    Lima Bean vs Black Beans
  • Lima Bean

    This food

    Lima Bean

    VS88% alike
    Lentils

    Compare with

    Lentils

    Lentils cook faster and have slightly more protein, while lima beans provide a creamier texture and unique micronutrient profile.

    Lentils cook faster and offer slightly more protein per calorie, while lima beans provide a creamier texture and unique micronutrient profile.

    Lima Bean vs Lentils
  • Lima Bean

    This food

    Lima Bean

    VS85% alike
    Chickpeas

    Compare with

    Chickpeas

    Lima beans are lower in calories and fat than chickpeas, making them slightly better for weight loss, while chickpeas offer marginally more protein.

    Lima beans are lower in calories and fat than chickpeas, making them slightly better for weight loss, while chickpeas offer marginally more protein.

    Lima Bean vs Chickpeas
  • Lima Bean

    This food

    Lima Bean

    VS95% alike
    Fava Beans

    Compare with

    Fava Beans

    Fava beans are higher in protein, while lima beans are slightly lower in calories; both share a similar buttery texture.

    Fava beans are higher in protein, while lima beans are slightly lower in calories; both share a similar buttery texture.

    Lima Bean vs Fava Beans
  • Lima Bean

    This food

    Lima Bean

    VS88% alike
    Kidney Beans

    Compare with

    Kidney Beans

    Kidney beans offer slightly more fiber and protein per serving than lima beans, providing a minor edge for blood sugar control.

    Kidney beans offer slightly more fiber and protein per serving than lima beans, providing a minor edge for blood sugar control.

    Lima Bean vs Kidney Beans
  • Lima Bean

    This food

    Lima Bean

    VS87% alike
    Pinto Beans

    Compare with

    Pinto Beans

    Lima beans are lower in overall carbohydrates and calories compared to pinto beans, making them a leaner choice for weight loss.

    Lima beans are lower in overall carbohydrates and calories compared to pinto beans, making them a leaner choice for weight loss.

    Lima Bean vs Pinto Beans
  • Lima Bean

    This food

    Lima Bean

    VS80% alike
    Green Peas

    Compare with

    Green Peas

    Lima beans are higher in protein and fiber and lower in sugar than green peas, offering better satiety and blood sugar stability.

    Lima beans are higher in protein and fiber and lower in sugar than green peas, offering better satiety and blood sugar stability.

    Lima Bean vs Green Peas
  • Lima Bean

    This food

    Lima Bean

    VS89% alike
    Navy Beans

    Compare with

    Navy Beans

    Navy beans are slightly higher in fiber and protein than lima beans, making them marginally better for digestion and fullness.

    Navy beans are slightly higher in fiber and protein than lima beans, making them marginally better for digestion and fullness.

    Lima Bean vs Navy Beans
  • Lima Bean

    This food

    Lima Bean

    VS86% alike
    Cannellini Beans

    Compare with

    Cannellini Beans

    Cannellini beans provide slightly more protein, while lima beans are a bit lower in calories; both are excellent for heart health.

    Cannellini beans provide slightly more protein, while lima beans are a bit lower in calories; both are excellent for heart health.

    Lima Bean vs Cannellini Beans

Common questions

FAQ

Answers aligned with how people search for this food.

  • Are lima beans good for weight loss?

    Yes, lima beans are excellent for weight loss due to their high fiber and protein content, which promotes fullness and reduces overall calorie intake.

  • Can diabetics eat lima beans?

    Yes, lima beans have a low glycemic index and are high in soluble fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and prevents glucose spikes.

  • Are raw lima beans poisonous?

    Yes, raw lima beans contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide. They must be thoroughly boiled before consumption to neutralize these compounds.

  • Are lima beans and butter beans the same thing?

    Yes, butter beans are a common name for large, mature lima beans, particularly in the Southern United States and the UK.

  • Are lima beans a complete protein?

    No, lima beans are missing the amino acid methionine. Pairing them with grains like rice or corn creates a complete protein profile.

  • Do lima beans cause gas?

    Yes, like most legumes, lima beans contain oligosaccharides that can cause gas. Soaking them before cooking and increasing intake gradually can help reduce this effect.

  • How long do you need to boil lima beans?

    Dried lima beans should be soaked overnight, then boiled for at least 10-15 minutes at a rolling boil before reducing heat to simmer until tender, ensuring cyanogenic glycosides are destroyed.

Transparency

Data confidence

Estimated confidence for nutrition data, interpretation, safety notes, and comparisons.

95

Nutrition data

95

Health analysis

98

Food safety

90

Comparisons