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Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Lima Beans: How To Choose?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between pine nuts (pinyons) and lima beans, foods from the grains and legumes food groups. Read on to learn more about the pine nuts (pinyons) vs lima beans comparison.
Michael Whaley, Health Writer

Written by Michael Whaley, Health Writer. Updated on March 18, 2023.

Although pine nuts (pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons) and lima beans compare specifically.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons)

Pine nuts, also known as pinyons (Pinus spp.), are the edible seeds of certain species of pine trees.

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

Pine nuts are a good source of nutrients, including protein, fiber, and different vitamins and minerals. They are also a good source of healthy fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

There are many ways to incorporate pine 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. Pine nuts are also available in various forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

Pine 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 pine nuts a try.

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

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B3 (Niacin).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

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.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons) vs lima beans.

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

Pine Nuts (Pinyons)Lima Beans
Energy629 kcal338 kcal
Carbs19.3 g63.4 g
Sugar8.5 g
Fiber10.7 g19 g
Protein11.6 g21.5 g
Fat61 g0.69 g
Saturated Fat9.38 g0.161 g

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Lima Beans Calories

Comparing lima beans vs pine nuts (pinyons) for weight loss, lima beans are slightly lower in calories, with 338 calories per 100 grams, compared to 629 calories per 100 grams of pine nuts (pinyons).

However, both pine nuts (pinyons) 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.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Lima Beans Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including pine nuts (pinyons) and lima beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Lima Beans offer around 46% more protein than pine nuts (pinyons).

Lima Beans have 21.5 grams of protein per 100 grams, while pine nuts (pinyons) has 11.6 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons) and lima beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 70% higher in lima beans than in pine nuts (pinyons). They have 63.4 grams per 100 grams, compared to 19.3 grams in pine nuts (pinyons).

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There’s less sugar in pine nuts (pinyons) than in lima beans, 100% precisely.

One handful of pine nuts (pinyons) (28 grams) contains 0 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 pine nuts (pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons) which offer 3 grams per portion.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Lima Beans Fats

Fats in pine nuts (pinyons) and lima beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in pine nuts (pinyons) and lima beans:

  • Pine Nuts (Pinyons): 61 grams per 100 grams
  • Lima Beans: 0.7 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, lima beans are 98% lower in saturated fats.

Lima Beans and pine nuts (pinyons) contain 0.2 grams and 9.4 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Lima Beans Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of pine nuts (pinyons) and lima beans.

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

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) has a higher amount of vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

However, lima beans have a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and vitamin B3 (Niacin).

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) and lima beans contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins pine nuts (pinyons) and lima beans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons)Lima Beans
Vitamin A29 IU0
Vitamin C2 mg0
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)1.24 mg0.507 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.223 mg0.202 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)4.37 mg1.54 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.21 mg1.36 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.111 mg0.512 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)58 µg395 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E00.72 mg
Vitamin K06 µg

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons) and lima beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) is a better source of calcium, fluoride, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium than lima beans.

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

Check out the table below to learn how pine nuts (pinyons) and lima beans compare when it comes to mineral content.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons)Lima Beans
Calcium8 mg81 mg
Copper1.04 mg0.74 mg
Fluoride02.2 µg
Iron3.06 mg7.51 mg
Magnesium234 mg224 mg
Manganese4.33 mg1.67 mg
Phosphorus35 mg385 mg
Potassium628 mg1720 mg
Selenium07.2 µg
Sodium72 mg18 mg
Zinc4.28 mg2.83 mg

The Final Word

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) and lima beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both pine nuts (pinyons) 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

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