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Lima Beans Nutrition Facts: Are Lima Beans Good for You?
Cooked lima beans are high in several nutrients, providing 25% of the Daily Value for fiber and over 20% for copper, manganese, and folate per 100-gram serving. They are also a good source of plant-based protein, potassium, iron, and magnesium. This nutritional profile applies to lima beans boiled without salt; their place in a healthy diet depends on portion size and preparation, as they are naturally low in fat, sugar, and sodium.
Per 100 g · Lima beans, large, mature seeds, cooked, boiled, without salt
What stands out in lima beans
- High in dietary fiber. A 100-gram serving of cooked lima beans contains 7 grams of dietary fiber. This amount provides 25% of the recommended Daily Value.
- Source of key minerals. Lima beans are high in copper (26% DV) and manganese (22% DV). They are also a good source of potassium (11% DV), iron (13% DV), and magnesium (10% DV) per 100 grams.
- Plant protein content. This serving size offers 7.8 grams of protein, which accounts for 16% of the Daily Value, making it a good source of plant-based protein.
- High in folate. A 100-gram serving of lima beans supplies 83 micrograms of folate (DFE). This represents 21% of the Daily Value.
What to keep in mind
- The nutrition data is for lima beans cooked without salt, containing only 2 mg of sodium per 100 grams.
- Canned versions or other preparations may have significantly higher sodium content.
- The beans contain 2.9 grams of total sugars per 100 grams.
Lima Beans nutrition facts per 100 g
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 115 kcal | – |
| Protein | 7.8 g | 16% |
| Total fat | 0.38 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | 0.09 g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated fat | 0.03 g | – |
| Polyunsaturated fat | 0.17 g | – |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Carbohydrate | 20.9 g | 8% |
| Dietary fiber | 7 g | 25% |
| Total sugars | 2.9 g | – |
| Water | 69.8 g | – |
| Sodium | 2 mg | 0% |
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium | 508 mg | 11% |
| Calcium | 17 mg | 1% |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% |
| Magnesium | 43 mg | 10% |
| Phosphorus | 111 mg | 9% |
| Zinc | 0.95 mg | 9% |
| Copper | 0.23 mg | 26% |
| Manganese | 0.52 mg | 22% |
| Selenium | 4.5 mcg | 8% |
| Vitamin A (RAE) | 0 mcg | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin D | 0 mcg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | 0.18 mg | 1% |
| Vitamin K | 2 mcg | 2% |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.16 mg | 13% |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.06 mg | 4% |
| Niacin (B3) | 0.42 mg | 3% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.16 mg | 9% |
| Folate (DFE) | 83 mcg | 21% |
| Vitamin B12 | 0 mcg | 0% |
| Choline | 32.5 mg | 6% |
% Daily Value uses the FDA Daily Values for adults and children 4 years and older. Highlighted rows are 20% DV or more per 100 g. A dash means no Daily Value is set.
Lima Beans by portion
The nutrition information changes with portion size. A one-cup serving of cooked lima beans, which weighs 188 grams, contains 216 calories, about 15 grams of protein, and 13 grams of fiber. This larger portion provides more than twice the nutrients of the standard 100-gram serving. A smaller portion, such as one tablespoon, has 13 calories, just under 1 gram of protein, and about 1 gram of fiber.
| USDA portion | Weight | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fiber | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 188 g | 216 | 14.7 g | 39.3 g | 13.2 g | 0.7 g |
| 1 tbsp | 12 g | 13 | 0.9 g | 2.4 g | 0.8 g | 0 g |
How lima beans compares with other beans, legumes and soy foods
Among other beans and legumes, cooked lima beans are highest in potassium. Per 100 grams, they have fewer calories (115 kcal) and carbohydrates (20.9 g) than kidney beans or black beans. Their protein content (7.8 g) is similar to that of kidney beans and black beans but lower than lentils (9 g) and edamame (11.9 g). While they contain more carbohydrates than edamame, they have a similar amount of fiber (7 g) to lentils and kidney beans. Lima beans are also one of the lowest-sugar options in this food group.
| Per 100 g | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fiber | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lima Beans | 115 | 7.8 g | 20.9 g | 7 g | 0.38 g |
| Lentils | 116 | 9 g | 20.1 g | 7.9 g | 0.38 g |
| Edamame | 121 | 11.9 g | 8.9 g | 5.2 g | 5.2 g |
| Kidney Beans | 127 | 8.7 g | 22.8 g | 7.4 g | 0.5 g |
| Black Beans | 132 | 8.9 g | 23.7 g | 8.7 g | 0.54 g |
Quick answers
How many calories are in a cup of lima beans?
A one-cup serving of large, mature lima beans that have been boiled without salt contains 216 calories.
How much protein and fiber are in lima beans?
Per 100 grams (about half a cup), cooked lima beans have 7.8 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber. A full one-cup portion contains 14.7 grams of protein and 13.2 grams of fiber.
Are lima beans high in carbs and sugar?
A 100-gram serving of cooked lima beans has 20.9 grams of total carbohydrates, which includes 2.9 grams of total sugars. A one-cup serving has 39.3 grams of carbohydrates and 5.5 grams of sugars.
When to talk to a doctor or dietitian
- At 508 mg of potassium per 100 g, lima beans is worth discussing if you have kidney disease or take a medicine that raises potassium levels; your doctor or a renal dietitian can tell you how much fits your plan.
- This page describes nutrient content, not medical advice. If a health condition, medicine or pregnancy affects what you eat, a doctor or registered dietitian can tell you how lima beans fits your situation.
Last updated October 21, 2026