Lima beans are a high-fiber, low-fat source of protein and minerals. While 1 cup provides more than 20 percent of the dietary reference intake, or DRI, for protein and more than 30 percent for fiber, it contains less than 1g of fat. One cup of boiled, unsalted lima beans also supplies more than 90 percent of the DRI for manganese for adults over age 50.
Calories
One cup of boiled lima beans contains 209 calories, most of which come from carbohydrates, particularly fiber. One cup of lima beans contains 40.2g of carbohydrates and 9g of fiber. This is 32 percent of the dietary reference intake, or DRI, for fiber. Lima beans are low in sugar, with 1 cup containing only 2.8g.
Protein
One cup of lima beans contains 11.6g of protein, which accounts for 46 of the 209 calories per cup. These 11.6g provide 25 percent of the DRI of 46g for women. The DRI for men is higher, at 56g, so 1 cup provides only 21 percent of the DRI for men. Although lima beans are not a complete protein because they lack some of the essential amino acids, they do provide large amounts of some of the non-essential amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid.
Fat
Lima beans are low in fat. One cup contains only .5g, which accounts for less than 9 of the 209 calories per serving. Lima beans contain no cholesterol.
Minerals
Like many beans, lima beans provide large amounts of many essential minerals. In particular, 1 cup of lima beans supplies more than 50 percent of the DRI for iron for men. Because women require more than twice as much iron as men, 1 cup supplies only 22 percent of the DRI for women. Women require less magnesium than men, however, so while 1 cup of lima beans provides 39 percent of magnesium of the DRI for women, it provides only 30 percent for men. One cup of lima beans also supplies over 100 percent of the DRI for manganese for women and and 93 percent for men. One cup supplies 32 percent of the DRI for phosphorus, 48 percent for potassium and 58 percent for copper as well.
Vitamins
Lima beans supply both water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. One cup provides more than 18 percent of the DRI for vitamin C, as well as more than 19 percent of thiamin, more than 12 percent of riboflavin and more than 10 percent of niacin. One cup also supplies 25 percent of the DRI for vitamin B6. While most of the fat-soluble vitamins are present in trace amounts, 1 cup of lima beans does supply 9 percent of the DRI for men and 12 percent for women.
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