Pistachios vs Lima Beans: How To Choose?

Although pistachios 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 pistachios 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 pistachios 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 pistachios and lima beans compare specifically.

Pistachios

Pistachios (Pistacia vera) are a type of nut that is native to the Middle East and are now grown in many parts of the world.

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

Pistachios 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 pistachios 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. Pistachios are also available in various forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

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

Pistachios is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin A, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B9 (Folate), and Vitamin E and some Vitamin C, and Vitamin B3 (Niacin).

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.

Pistachios 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 pistachios vs lima beans.

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

Pistachios vs Lima Beans Calories

Comparing lima beans vs pistachios for weight loss, lima beans are slightly lower in calories, with 338 calories per 100 grams, compared to 560 calories per 100 grams of pistachios.

However, both pistachios 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.

Pistachios vs Lima Beans Protein

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

Lima Beans offer around 6% more protein than pistachios.

Lima Beans have 21.5 grams of protein per 100 grams, while pistachios has 20.2 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Pistachios 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 pistachios and lima beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 57% higher in lima beans than in pistachios. They have 63.4 grams per 100 grams, compared to 27.2 grams in pistachios.

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There’s less sugar in pistachios than in lima beans, 13% precisely.

One handful of pistachios (28 grams) contains 2.1 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 pistachios 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 pistachios which offer 3 grams per portion.

Pistachios vs Lima Beans Fats

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

Total fat in pistachios and lima beans:

• Pistachios: 45.3 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 pistachios contain 0.2 grams and 5.9 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Pistachios vs Lima Beans Vitamins Content

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

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

Pistachios has a higher amount of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

However, lima beans have a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin E.

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

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

Pistachios 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 pistachios and lima beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Pistachios is a better source of iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, sodium, and zinc than lima beans.

On the other hand, lima beans are a higher amount of calcium, copper, fluoride, and phosphorus.

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

The Final Word

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

Both pistachios 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.