Lima beans, immature seeds, frozen, baby, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt
Whole food · Vegetables and Vegetable Products
Photo: Wikipedia
These are the tender, young seeds of the lima bean plant, harvested early for a delicate, buttery flavor and a creamy, slightly starchy texture when boiled. They are a powerhouse of plant-based protein and dietary fiber, offering a satisfying, low-fat meal component.
Calorie split: 25% protein · 73% carbs · 3% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People cherish baby lima beans for their uniquely creamy, almost buttery texture that melts in the mouth, and their mild, sweet flavor that readily absorbs seasonings. They are a beloved staple in comforting soups, stews, and casseroles across many cultures.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Their high carbohydrate content can cause blood sugar spikes if eaten alone in large portions, and the canned/frozen versions can be high in sodium. To counteract this, pair them with a source of protein (like chicken or tofu) and healthy fat (like olive oil or avocado) to slow glucose absorption, and choose low-sodium varieties or rinse them thoroughly.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of plant-based protein for muscle maintenance.
- High in dietary fiber to support digestive health and satiily.
- Naturally low in fat, making it a heart-healthy choice.
- Provides essential minerals like iron and manganese.
- A good source of complex carbohydrates for sustained energy.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The lima bean is named after Lima, Peru, where it was cultivated by indigenous peoples long before its introduction to Europe in the 16th century.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 72.3 g |
| Energy | 105 kcal |
| Energy | 439 kj |
| Protein | 6.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.30 g |
| Ash | 1.3 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 19.4 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 4.8 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.4 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 28.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.0 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 56.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 112 mg |
| Potassium, K | 411 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 265 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.55 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.20 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.81 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 1.7 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 5.8 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.07 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.06 mg |
| Niacin | 0.77 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.18 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.12 mg |
| Folate, total | 16.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 16.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 16.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 37.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 8.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 100 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 167 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.64 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 5.2 ug |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.07 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.14 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.10 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.05 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.09 g |
| Threonine | 0.28 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.43 g |
| Leucine | 0.52 g |
| Lysine | 0.44 g |
| Methionine | 0.07 g |
| Cystine | 0.08 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.33 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.21 g |
| Valine | 0.41 g |
| Arginine | 0.45 g |
| Histidine | 0.23 g |
| Alanine | 0.25 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.71 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.86 g |
| Glycine | 0.27 g |
| Proline | 0.10 g |
| Serine | 0.41 g |
FAQ
What's the difference between baby and regular lima beans?
Baby lima beans are harvested earlier, resulting in a smaller size, milder flavor, and more tender, less starchy texture compared to the larger, more robust 'Fordhook' or regular lima beans.
Are frozen baby lima beans as nutritious as fresh?
Yes, frozen lima beans are typically flash-frozen shortly after harvest, which preserves their nutritional content very well, often making them more nutrient-dense than 'fresh' beans that have traveled long distances.
How can I reduce the 'beany' flavor some people dislike?
Soaking dried beans (if using) and discarding the water helps. For cooking, simmering with aromatics like onion, garlic, bay leaf, or a ham hock can balance the flavor, and a small pinch of sugar can also counteract any residual bitterness.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.05 kcal/g · 25% calories from protein · 4.8 g fiber · 1.4 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.64 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.