Quinoa vs Lima Beans: How Do They Compare?

Although quinoa and lima beans belong to different food groups, while quinoa belong is a grain, and lima beans belong to legumes food group, and it’s not that common to compare foods from different groups, people are often interested in these comparisons as well.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares quinoa and lima beans, their nutritional values, similarities, differences, macronutrients, and micronutrients – vitamins and minerals.

Generally speaking, foods from grains and legume food groups are both high in carbs and protein and valuable addition to a plant-based diet.

Now, let’s see how quinoa and lima beans compare specifically.

Quinoa

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a grain-like crop grown for its edible seeds.

It is a good source of complete protein, providing all essential amino acids, and also rich in dietary fibers, vitamins, and minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and zinc.

Quinoa also contains antioxidants, flavonoids, and anti-inflammatory compounds, which have been linked to various health benefits, including improved blood sugar control, cardiovascular health, and weight management.

It is a versatile ingredient that can be cooked and eaten as a side dish, added to soups and stews, or ground into flour to make breads, pancakes, and other baked goods.

Quinoa is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

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

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.

Quinoa 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 quinoa vs lima beans.

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

Quinoa vs Lima Beans Calories

Most calories in raw grains and 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 quinoa for weight loss, lima beans are slightly lower in calories, with 338 calories per 100 grams, compared to 368 calories per 100 grams of quinoa.

However, both quinoa 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.

Quinoa vs Lima Beans Protein

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

Lima Beans offer around 34% more protein than quinoa.

Lima Beans have 21.5 grams of protein per 100 grams, while quinoa has 14.1 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Quinoa 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 quinoa and lima beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 1% higher in quinoa than in lima beans. It have 64.2 grams per 100 grams, compared to 63.4 grams in lima beans.

There’s less sugar in quinoa than in lima beans, 83% precisely.

One handful of quinoa (28 grams) contains 0.4 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 quinoa 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 quinoa which offer 2 grams per portion.

Quinoa vs Lima Beans Fats

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

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

Total fat in quinoa and lima beans:

• Quinoa: 6.1 grams per 100 grams
• Lima Beans: 0.7 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, lima beans are 71% lower in saturated fats.

Lima Beans and quinoa contain 0.2 grams and 0.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Quinoa vs Lima Beans Vitamins Content

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

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

Quinoa has a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), 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 A, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and vitamin E.

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

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

Quinoa 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 quinoa and lima beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

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

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

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

The Final Word

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

Both quinoa 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 grains 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 and grains 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.