Lima BeansLegume
113
kcal / 100g
176
kcal / 1 cup
4 things to watch for
Informational only, not medical advice. Always verify against the physical product label — data may be incomplete or out of date.
Nutrition Facts (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Amount | %DV |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 113kcal | — |
| Protein | 6.84g | 14% |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.86g | 1% |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.198g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 20.17g | 7% |
| Fiber, total dietary | 4.9g | 18% |
| Total Sugars | 1.48g | — |
| Sodium, Na | 8mg | 0% |
Vitamins & Minerals
Iron contributes to normal cognitive function EU register →
Iron contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism EU register →
Iron contributes to normal formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin EU register →
Iron contributes to normal oxygen transport in the body EU register →
Iron contributes to the normal function of the immune system EU register →
Iron contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue EU register →
Iron has a role in the process of cell division EU register →
Potassium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system EU register →
Potassium contributes to normal muscle function EU register →
Potassium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure EU register →
Magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue EU register →
Magnesium contributes to electrolyte balance EU register →
Magnesium contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism EU register →
Magnesium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system EU register →
Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function EU register →
Magnesium contributes to normal protein synthesis EU register →
Magnesium contributes to normal psychological function EU register →
Magnesium contributes to the maintenance of normal bones EU register →
Magnesium contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth EU register →
Phosphorus contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism EU register →
Phosphorus contributes to normal function of cell membranes EU register →
Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal bones EU register →
Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth EU register →
Copper contributes to maintenance of normal connective tissues EU register →
Copper contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system EU register →
Copper contributes to normal hair pigmentation EU register →
Copper contributes to normal iron transport in the body EU register →
Copper contributes to normal skin pigmentation EU register →
Copper contributes to the normal function of the immune system EU register →
Copper contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress EU register →
Manganese contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism EU register →
Manganese contributes to the maintenance of normal bones EU register →
Manganese contributes to the normal formation of connective tissue EU register →
Manganese contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of gums EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of teeth EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal psychological function EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E EU register →
Vitamin C increases iron absorption EU register →
Thiamine contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism EU register →
Thiamine contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system EU register →
Thiamine contributes to normal psychological function EU register →
Thiamine contributes to the normal function of the heart EU register →
Folate contributes to normal amino acid synthesis EU register →
Folate contributes to normal blood formation EU register →
Folate contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism EU register →
Folate contributes to normal psychological function EU register →
Folate contributes to the normal function of the immune system EU register →
Folate contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue EU register →
Folate has a role in the process of cell division EU register →
Diet Compatibility
- VeganYes
Yes — Lima Beans is vegan.
Based on Open Food Facts ingredient analysis. How we set this
- VegetarianYes
Yes — Lima Beans is vegetarian.
Based on Open Food Facts ingredient analysis. How we set this
- Palm Oil FreeYes
Yes — Lima Beans is palm oil free.
Based on Open Food Facts ingredient analysis. How we set this
- Gluten-FreeYes
Yes — Lima Beans is gluten-free.
Based on the ingredient list and allergen data recorded in Open Food Facts. How we set this
- Dairy-FreeYes
Yes — Lima Beans is dairy-free.
Based on the ingredient list and allergen data recorded in Open Food Facts. How we set this
- Nut-FreeYes
Yes — Lima Beans is nut-free.
Based on the ingredient list and allergen data recorded in Open Food Facts (covers tree nuts and peanuts). How we set this
- Soy-FreeYes
Yes — Lima Beans is soy-free.
Based on the ingredient list and allergen data recorded in Open Food Facts. How we set this
- Egg-FreeYes
Yes — Lima Beans is egg-free.
Based on the ingredient list and allergen data recorded in Open Food Facts. How we set this
- KetoNo
No — Lima Beans is not keto-friendly (15.27 g net carbs per 100g, over the ≤10 g net carbs bar). (may not account for sugar alcohols; per-100g basis is a rougher heuristic than per-serving.)
≤5g net carbs per serving — our bar, not a regulatory standard. How we set this
- Low-CarbNo
No — Lima Beans is not low-carb (15.27 g net carbs per 100g, over the ≤15 g net carbs bar). (may not account for sugar alcohols.)
≤15g net carbs per serving — our bar, not a regulatory standard. How we set this
- Low-SugarYes
Yes — Lima Beans is low in sugar (1.48 g sugar per 100g, within the ≤5 g sugar bar).
≤5g sugar per serving — our own criterion; the FDA defines none. How we set this
- High-ProteinNo
No — Lima Beans is not high in protein (6.84 g protein per 100g, below the ≥10 g protein bar).
≥10g protein per serving — FDA 21 CFR 101.54 (≥20% DV). How we set this
- Low-FatYes
Yes — Lima Beans is low-fat (0.86 g fat per 100g, within the ≤3 g fat bar).
≤3g fat per serving — FDA 21 CFR 101.62. How we set this
- Low-CalorieNo
No — Lima Beans is not low-calorie (113 kcal per 100g, over the ≤40 kcal bar).
≤40 kcal per serving — FDA 21 CFR 101.60. How we set this
Read the sourced research
A 100g cooked serving of lima beans has 20.9g total carbohydrate, working out to about 13.9g net carbs once fiber is subtracted, per Prospre Nutrition.
That carb count is too high for most strict keto meal plans, which generally cap net carbs well below this level. [4]In a US study of patients with legume hypersensitivity, 41% (13 of 32) tested positive on a skin-prick test for lima bean, per Thermo Fisher's allergen encyclopedia.
A positive skin-prick test isn't the same as a confirmed food allergy — actual clinical lima bean allergy, confirmed by oral food challenge, is considered rare. [5]
Health Benefits
Raw lima beans naturally contain compounds that release cyanide, but commercial US-grown beans are regulated to under 200mg cyanide/kg, typically 100-170mg/kg, per Oregon State University Extension.
Boiling in plenty of water for over 30 minutes removes about 80% of that cyanide, which is why properly cooked lima beans are the safe way to eat them. [1]A 1 cup (170g) cooked serving of lima beans provides 9g of fiber, according to Healthline.
That level of fiber is part of the general case for legumes supporting heart-healthy eating patterns, though this isn't evidence specific to lima beans alone. [2]
Storage & Buying Tips
Cooked lima beans generally keep in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days, based on general USDA guidance for cooked leftovers. [3]
Frequently Asked Questions
Do raw lima beans contain cyanide, and are they toxic to humans?
Yes — raw lima beans contain linamarin, a compound that releases cyanide when the bean is chewed or physically damaged.
US-grown commercial beans are capped at 200mg cyanide/kg and typically test at 100-170mg/kg, a level considered safe for people with normal protein intake, though wild lima beans can run much higher.
Cooking breaks down the enzymes that release the cyanide, which is why properly cooked lima beans are safe to eat. Raw or undercooked beans are a real poisoning risk, especially if eaten often or in large amounts. [1]
Can you eat lima beans while pregnant?
Yes, as long as they're cooked all the way through.
Australian government food safety guidance specifically names cooked legumes, lima beans included, as a good iron and protein source during pregnancy. [6]
What is the difference between butter beans and lima beans?
There isn't one — butter beans and lima beans are the same species, Phaseolus lunatus.
The two names are mostly a regional split: "butter bean" is more common in the UK and the southern US, per WebMD. Occasionally the terms are also used to separate beans picked at different stages of maturity. [7]
Are frozen lima beans as nutritious as fresh ones?
Generally, yes. Blanching and flash-freezing shortly after harvest preserves most minerals, fiber, and fat-soluble vitamins.
The main loss happens during blanching itself, which can cut water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and folate by roughly 10-25%. After that, nutrient levels hold fairly steady in the freezer.
Frozen produce often ends up nutritionally similar to, or even better than, fresh produce that sat in transit and cold storage for days before reaching your kitchen. [8]
How can I reduce gas and bloating from eating lima beans?
Soak dried beans first — at least 4 hours at room temperature, or overnight in the fridge — then cook them thoroughly.
Ramp up your fiber intake gradually instead of adding a big serving all at once, and drink plenty of water alongside it. [2]
Are lima beans low-FODMAP?
No — lima beans are generally considered high-FODMAP, due to their oligosaccharide (GOS) and polyol content, and are usually limited or avoided during a strict low-FODMAP elimination phase.
Monash University's own legume guidance is more permissive, though: it notes that prep methods like canning, boiling, and rinsing can lower FODMAP content, and some other legumes do have a Monash-tested low-FODMAP serving size. Lima beans specifically weren't given one in the sources reviewed. [9]
Found in these products
None of the products in our database currently contain Lima Beans.
Sources & Last Updated
Nutrition data: USDA FoodData Central, “Lima beans, immature seeds, raw” (SR Legacy, fdcId 168396), updated 2026-08-27.
Research reviewed 2026-08-27.
- OSU Extension Service — Is there cyanide in lima beans? (2019-08-14)
- Healthline Media — Lima Beans: Nutrients, Benefits, Downsides, and More (2021-07-14)
- http://ask.fsis.usda.gov/article/How-long-will-cooked-food-stay-safe-in-the-refrigerator
- Prospre Nutrition Inc.
- f182 Lima bean | Thermo Fisher Scientific
- https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/media/1921
- WebMD — Health Benefits of Lima Beans (2020-09-17)
- Preserve Smart
- Monash Fodmap — Including legumes on a low FODMAP diet (2016-10-17)