The same size serving of large lima beans actually has fewer calories : One-fourth cup of large lima beans has 150 calories, with no calories from fat. It also contains 28 grams of carbohydrates, including 9 grams of dietary fiber, and 10 grams of protein.
Like other beans, lima beans have a low glycemic index, which is a measure of how much specific foods increase blood sugar levels ( 5, 6 ). They’re also high in fiber, which can slow the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream to keep your blood sugar levels in check ( 7 ).
Are lima beans a good source of protein?
Protein: One cup of cooked lima beans has 14.7 grams of protein. Lima beans have trace amounts of vitamin K and calcium. Lima beans are not a good source of vitamins A, C and D (0% DV). Like all legumes, lima beans have a rich and varied nutrient profile. Lima beans contain a wide range of vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Like most beans, lima beans are a good source of several different nutrients. A fourth-cup serving of baby lima beans—about 45 grams of beans—has about 170 calories, including 5 calories from fat. You’ll get 32 grams of carbohydrates, including 10 grams of dietary fiber, and 10 grams of fiber from that serving of baby limas.
What to do with fresh lima beans?
They’ll be out of season soon, but if you’re fortunate enough to find some fresh lima beans, also called butter beans, here are a few ideas about how to cook them. (And if you happen to like frozen lima beans, I envy you, since they’re available year-round and could be used in any of these recipes, too).
Can you eat lima bean pods?
, and lima beans. Like many legumes, the seemingly innocent lima bean should not be eaten raw — doing so can be lethal. Even so, lima beans should be cooked thoroughly, and uncovered to allow the poison to escape as gas. Drain the cooking water to be on the safe side.
You just eat the green beans and not the pods. Lima beans are the most popular example of green shell beans. You can let the shell bean plants mature fully until the end of the season. The pods and plants dry up, and the beans become hard. After soaking, use these shell beans in dishes such as chili and baked beans.
Are raw lima beans safe to eat?
Raw lima beans contain a compound called linamarin, which turns into cyanide when consumed. Though you’re likely not sitting around eating raw lima beans, it’s important to keep them away from children and to make sure that, when you are cooking them, you’re doing it properly.
Before consuming lima beans, Schapiro recommends cooking them for at least 10 minutes, but you can cook them even longer if you want to stay on the safe side.