Brazil Nuts vs Lima Beans: Which One is Better for You?

Although brazil nuts and lima beans belong to different food groups, and it’s not that common to compare foods from different groups, people are often interested in these comparisons as well.
While brazil nuts belong to the nuts and seeds group, lima beans belong to legumes food group.
That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares brazil nuts and lima beans, their nutritional values, similarities, differences, macronutrients, and micronutrients – vitamins and minerals.
Generally speaking, foods from nuts and seeds group are usually higher in healthy fats and lower in carbs than legumes, but both are valuable addition to a plant-based diet.
Now, let’s see how brazil nuts and lima beans compare specifically.
Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa) are a type of nut that is native to the Amazon rainforest in South America.
These nuts have a slightly sweet and slightly nutty flavor, and are often used in both sweet and savory dishes.
Brazil nuts are a good source of nutrients, including protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals.
They are also a good source of healthy fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
There are many ways to incorporate Brazil nuts into your diet.
They can be eaten raw or roasted, and are often used in baking or as a topping for salads and other dishes. Brazil nuts are also available in a variety of forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.
Brazil nuts are widely available and can be found at most grocery stores. They are often sold roasted or raw, and can be purchased with or without the shell.
If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious nut to add to your diet, consider giving Brazil nuts a try.
They are flavorful, versatile, and have a variety of health benefits.
Brazil Nuts is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin E.
It also contains Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) in a small amount.
Lima Beans
Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus), also known as butter beans, are a type of legume native to Central and South America.
They are a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to their high protein and fiber content, as well as their creamy, buttery texture.
Lima beans are also a good source of several important nutrients, including potassium, iron, and folate.
They can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, such as lima bean soup, salads, and dips.
In addition to being a nutritious food, lima beans have been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.
They have been linked to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and may also help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
Lima Beans are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).
They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and some Vitamin E, and Vitamin K.
Brazil Nuts vs Lima Beans Nutrition
Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing brazil nuts vs lima beans.
This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of brazil nuts and lima beans and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.
Brazil Nuts | Lima Beans | |
---|---|---|
Energy | 659 kcal | 338 kcal |
Carbs | 11.74 g | 63.4 g |
Sugar | 2.33 g | 8.5 g |
Fiber | 7.5 g | 19 g |
Protein | 14.32 g | 21.5 g |
Fat | 67.1 g | 0.69 g |
Saturated Fat | 16.134 g | 0.161 g |
Brazil Nuts vs Lima Beans Calories
Comparing lima beans vs brazil nuts for weight loss, lima beans are slightly lower in calories, with 338 calories per 100 grams, compared to 659 calories per 100 grams of brazil nuts.
However, both brazil nuts and lima beans can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.
Brazil Nuts vs Lima Beans Protein
Legumes and most legume products, including brazil nuts and lima beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.
Lima Beans offer around 33% more protein than brazil nuts.
Lima Beans have 21.5 grams of protein per 100 grams, while brazil nuts has 14.3 grams of protein per 100 grams.
Brazil Nuts vs Lima Beans Carbs
Counting carbs can be important for some people for different reasons, including blood sugar control, weight management, or athletic performance.
It’s also important for people on a keto diet, so let’s compare the carbs content in brazil nuts and lima beans.
The total amount of carbohydrates is around 82% higher in lima beans than in brazil nuts. They have 63.4 grams per 100 grams, compared to 11.7 grams in brazil nuts.
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There’s less sugar in brazil nuts than in lima beans, 71% precisely.
One handful of brazil nuts (28 grams) contains 0.7 grams of sugar, while the same amount of lima beans contains 2.4 grams.
Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in brazil nuts and lima beans.
Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.
With 5.3 grams of fiber per portion, lima beans are a better source of fiber than brazil nuts which offer 2.1 grams per portion.
Brazil Nuts vs Lima Beans Fats
Fats in brazil nuts and lima beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.
Total fat in brazil nuts and lima beans:
- Brazil Nuts: 67.1 grams per 100 grams
- Lima Beans: 0.7 per 100 grams
Speaking of saturated fats, lima beans are 99% lower in saturated fats.
Lima Beans and brazil nuts contain 0.2 grams and 16.1 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.
Brazil Nuts vs Lima Beans Vitamins Content
This section will discuss the vitamin content of brazil nuts and lima beans.
Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.
Brazil Nuts has a higher amount of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.
However, lima beans have a higher amount of vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and vitamin E.
Brazil Nuts and lima beans contain the same amount of vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).
The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins brazil nuts and lima beans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.
Brazil Nuts | Lima Beans | |
---|---|---|
Vitamin A | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin C | 0.7 mg | 0 |
Vitamin D | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.617 mg | 0.507 mg |
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.035 mg | 0.202 mg |
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.295 mg | 1.54 mg |
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.184 mg | 1.36 mg |
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) | 0.101 mg | 0.512 mg |
Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 22 µg | 395 µg |
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin E | 5.65 mg | 0.72 mg |
Vitamin K | 0 | 6 µg |
Brazil Nuts vs Lima Beans Minerals Content
Minerals are important for our body to function properly. We need only a small amount of minerals, so they are called micronutrients.
Some minerals, like iron, calcium, zinc or, iodine, are relatively hard to get on a plant-based diet, so it’s important to choose your foods thoughtfully. This part of the brazil nuts and lima beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.
Brazil Nuts is a better source of fluoride, iron, manganese, potassium, and sodium than lima beans.
On the other hand, lima beans are a higher amount of calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc.
Check out the table below to learn how brazil nuts and lima beans compare when it comes to mineral content.
Brazil Nuts | Lima Beans | |
---|---|---|
Calcium | 160 mg | 81 mg |
Copper | 1.743 mg | 0.74 mg |
Fluoride | 0 | 2.2 µg |
Iron | 2.43 mg | 7.51 mg |
Magnesium | 376 mg | 224 mg |
Manganese | 1.223 mg | 1.67 mg |
Phosphorus | 725 mg | 385 mg |
Potassium | 659 mg | 1720 mg |
Selenium | 1917 µg | 7.2 µg |
Sodium | 3 mg | 18 mg |
Zinc | 4.06 mg | 2.83 mg |
The Final Word
Brazil Nuts and lima beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.
Both brazil nuts and lima beans are high in specific vitamins and minerals, and including them in your diet will give you the most benefits they offer.
Antioxidants found in nuts, seeds and legumes can help to protect cells from damage and may reduce the risk of certain diseases and the effects of aging.
Additionally, the fiber and other nutrients in these foods can support the health of the digestive system and may even help to prevent certain digestive cancers.
Legumes, nuts and seeds are a versatile food that can be incorporated into any meal of the day, including breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They can be served hot or cold, making them a convenient and tasty addition to a variety of dishes.
Holy Peas has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals, associations and government institutions. Read more about our process.
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Lima Beans Nutrients, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/167746/nutrients
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Listing of vitamins, Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/listing_of_vitamins/
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Appendix 7. Nutritional goals for age-sex groups based on dietary reference intakes and Dietary Guidelines recommendations. (n.d.).
https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/appendix-7/
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International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021: a systematic review
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Health Claim Notification for Saturated Fat, Cholesterol, and Trans Fat, and Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/health-claim-notification-saturated-fat-cholesterol-and-trans-fat-and-reduced-risk-heart-disease
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Nutrient Recommendations: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies of Sciences Engineering, and Medicine
https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/nutrientrecommendations.aspx
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Protein And Amino Acid Requirements In Human Nutrition, WHO
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43411/WHO_TRS_935_eng.pdf
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Nutrition Facts Labeling RDIs Nutrients, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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Nutrition Facts Labeling DRVs Food Components, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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