Chickpeas vs Lima Beans: How Do They Compare?

Chickpeas and lima beans belong to the legumes and legume products food group, one of the staple food groups for people on a plant-based diet.

Legumes and most legume products are an affordable source of plant protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, and minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, and zinc, minerals that are usually harder to get on a plant-based diet.

This article will thoroughly compare chickpeas and lima beans and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.

Chickpeas

Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) are a type of legume that are native to the Middle East and Mediterranean region.

They are a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to their high protein and fiber content and their versatility in cooking.

Chickpeas can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, including hummus, falafel, and curry, and can also be ground into flour and used in baked goods such as bread and cookies.

Chickpea pasta is also available.

In addition to being a tasty and nutritious food, chickpeas have been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.

They are a good source of antioxidants, and have been linked to lower levels of cholesterol and improved blood sugar control.

Chickpeas are also a good source of several important minerals, including iron, zinc, and magnesium, all important nutrients for vegans.

Chickpeas 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 C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K.

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.

Chickpeas 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 chickpeas vs lima beans.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of chickpeas and lima beans and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

Chickpeas vs Lima Beans Calories

Most calories in raw legumes come from carbs. Peanuts are an exception here, but they are often considered a nut instead of a legume because of their nutritional profile.

Comparing lima beans vs chickpeas for weight loss, lima beans are slightly lower in calories, with 338 calories per 100 grams, compared to 378 calories per 100 grams of chickpeas.

However, both chickpeas 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.

Chickpeas vs Lima Beans Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including chickpeas and lima beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Lima Beans offer around 5% more protein than chickpeas.

Lima Beans have 21.5 grams of protein per 100 grams, while chickpeas have 20.5 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Chickpeas 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 chickpeas and lima beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 1% higher in lima beans than in chickpeas. They have 63.4 grams per 100 grams, compared to 63 grams in chickpeas.

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There’s less sugar in lima beans than in chickpeas, 20% precisely.

One handful of lima beans (28 grams) contains 2.4 grams of sugar, while the same amount of chickpeas contains 3 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in chickpeas 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 chickpeas which offer 3.4 grams per portion.

Chickpeas vs Lima Beans Fats

Like most other legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, chickpeas and lima beans are low in fat.

Fats in chickpeas and lima beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in chickpeas and lima beans:

• Chickpeas: 6 grams per 100 grams
• Lima Beans: 0.7 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, lima beans are 67% lower in saturated fats.

Lima Beans and chickpeas contain 0.2 grams and 0.6 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Chickpeas vs Lima Beans Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of chickpeas and lima beans.

Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.

Chickpeas have a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine).

However, lima beans have a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

Chickpeas and lima beans contain the same amount of vitamin D, vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins chickpeas and lima beans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Chickpeas 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 chickpeas and lima beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Chickpeas are a better source of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc than lima beans.

On the other hand, lima beans are a higher amount of manganese, and sodium.

Chickpeas and lima beans contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how chickpeas and lima beans compare when it comes to mineral content.

The Final Word

Chickpeas and lima beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both chickpeas 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 beans 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 are 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.