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Peanuts vs Lima Beans: What’s The Difference?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between peanuts and lima beans, foods from the grains and legumes food groups. Read on to learn more about the peanuts vs lima beans comparison.
Esther Bumpus, Health Writer

Written by Esther Bumpus, Health Writer. Updated on March 19, 2023.

Although peanuts 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 peanuts 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 peanuts 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 peanuts and lima beans compare specifically.

Peanuts

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) are a type of legume that is native to South America and is now grown in many parts of the world.

These nuts have a slightly sweet and slightly nutty flavor, and are often used in both sweet and savory dishes.

Peanuts 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 peanuts 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.

Peanuts are also available in a variety of forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

Peanuts 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 peanuts a try.

They are flavorful, versatile, and have a variety of health benefits.

Peanuts is an excellent source of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin E.

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

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.

Peanuts 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 peanuts vs lima beans.

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

PeanutsLima Beans
Energy587 kcal338 kcal
Carbs21.26 g63.4 g
Sugar4.9 g8.5 g
Fiber8.4 g19 g
Protein24.35 g21.5 g
Fat49.66 g0.69 g
Saturated Fat7.723 g0.161 g

Peanuts vs Lima Beans Calories

Comparing lima beans vs peanuts for weight loss, lima beans are slightly lower in calories, with 338 calories per 100 grams, compared to 587 calories per 100 grams of peanuts.

However, both peanuts 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.

Peanuts vs Lima Beans Protein

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

Peanuts offers around 12% more protein than lima beans.

Peanuts has 24.4 grams of protein per 100 grams, while lima beans have 21.5 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Peanuts 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 peanuts and lima beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 66% higher in lima beans than in peanuts. They have 63.4 grams per 100 grams, compared to 21.3 grams in peanuts.

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There’s less sugar in peanuts than in lima beans, 42% precisely.

One handful of peanuts (28 grams) contains 1.4 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 peanuts 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 peanuts which offer 2.4 grams per portion.

Peanuts vs Lima Beans Fats

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

Total fat in peanuts and lima beans:

  • Peanuts: 49.7 grams per 100 grams
  • Lima Beans: 0.7 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, lima beans are 97% lower in saturated fats.

Lima Beans and peanuts contain 0.2 grams and 7.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Peanuts vs Lima Beans Vitamins Content

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

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

Peanuts has a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

However, lima beans have a higher amount of vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin E.

Peanuts and lima beans contain the same amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

PeanutsLima Beans
Vitamin A00
Vitamin C00
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.152 mg0.507 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.197 mg0.202 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)14.355 mg1.54 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)1.011 mg1.36 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.466 mg0.512 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)97 µg395 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E4.93 mg0.72 mg
Vitamin K06 µg

Peanuts 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 peanuts and lima beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Peanuts is a better source of calcium, copper, fluoride, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc than lima beans.

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

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

PeanutsLima Beans
Calcium58 mg81 mg
Copper0.428 mg0.74 mg
Fluoride02.2 µg
Iron1.58 mg7.51 mg
Magnesium178 mg224 mg
Manganese1.786 mg1.67 mg
Phosphorus363 mg385 mg
Potassium634 mg1720 mg
Selenium9.3 µg7.2 µg
Sodium6 mg18 mg
Zinc2.77 mg2.83 mg

The Final Word

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

Both peanuts 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.

Sources

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.

How we ensure this article is accurate?
  1. It's written and or reviewed by an expert.
  2. We cite relevant studies and trusted sources.
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