Are lima beans keto friendly? – Calories, Nutrition and Keto Recipes

Are Lima Beans Keto-Friendly?

Lima beans are not typically seen as keto-friendly. The ketogenic diet emphasizes a low intake of carbohydrates and high intake of fats. Unfortunately, lima beans are high in carbs and comparatively low in fats, making them not well suited for the ketogenic diet.

Nutritional Facts About Lima Beans

Lima beans are indeed packed with beneficial nutrients. They are an excellent source of dietary fiber and protein. Moreover, they are rich in various essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, iron, and magnesium.

Calories, Carbs, Proteins and Fats

What is the Average Weight?

The weight of lima beans can vary depending on whether they’re fresh, dried or canned. However, generally in its dry form, a 1/4 cup of lima beans weighs about 45 grams.

Additional Information About Lima Beans

With 1288 µg of Lutein + zeaxanthin, lima beans contribute excellently for healthy eyes. Also, the selenium (3.6 µg) in lima beans helps in improving your immune system. Moreover, these beans have relatively high levels of Thiamin(0.446 mg), which is good for your brain’s health.

Other Foods To Match With

Despite being high in carbs, lima beans can serve as a nutritious side dish when served in moderate portions. They pair well with lean proteins like chicken or turkey. Combining them with plenty of non-starchy vegetables like spinach or broccoli can provide a good balance.

8 Famous Keto-Friendly Dishes To Try

Firstly, it’s important to note that lima beans are not considered keto-friendly. They are relatively high in carbohydrates, which is one of the key things you want to avoid when following a ketogenic diet. That said, there are many vegetables that can make great, keto-friendly substitutes for lima beans. Here are eight recipes using such substitutes:

1. Creamy Keto Lima Bean Substitute Soup

This recipe uses cauliflower instead of lima beans to create a creamy, comforting, keto-friendly soup. With added flavours like onions, garlic, and heavy cream, it’s a decadently delicious dish that’s perfect for any low-carb diet.

2. Low Carb Lima Bean Substitute Stir-Fry

Green peppers make a crunchy, flavoursome substitute for lima beans in this stir-fry recipe. With ingredients like garlic, onions, and your choice of protein, it’s a balanced and satisfying meal for keto followers.

3. Keto-Friendly Lima Bean Substitute Salad

This salad uses avocado instead of lima beans, providing healthy fats that are a cornerstone of the keto diet. It’s mixed with a variety of other veggies, Greek dressing, and feta cheese for a fresh and filling dish.

4. Spiced Lima Bean Substitute Curry

In this Indian-inspired recipe, green beans step in for lima beans. The dish has a spice kick from curry powder and compliments the sweetness of coconut milk, making for a unique and keto-friendly meal.

5. Keto Lima Bean Substitute Chicken Casserole

This casserole uses mushrooms as a lima bean substitute, creating a hearty, satisfing dish alongside chicken and cheese. The mushrooms also provide plenty of nutrients, an added bonus for keto dieters.

6. Low Carb Lima Bean Substitute Hummus

This hummus recipe uses zucchini instead of lima beans to keep it low-carb but still delicious. It’s a great option for snacking or for a keto-friendly appetizer.

7. Quick Keto Lima Bean Substitute Skillet

This quick skillet recipe substitutes lima beans with zucchini, cooked together with sausages and bell peppers for a simple, tasty keto-friendly meal.

8. Keto Lima Bean Substitute Stuffed Peppers

For this recipe, use cauliflower instead of lima beans to stuff bell peppers. Seasoned with herbs, spices, and cheese, it’s a delicious way to get the textures and flavors similar to lima beans while sticking to keto guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lima Beans and Keto

Are Lima Beans Keto-friendly?

Unfortunately, lima beans are not considered keto-friendly. The Keto diet emphasizes low-carb, high-fat foods, and while lima beans are a good source of protein and fiber, they are also high in carbohydrates. A single cup of cooked lima beans contains approximately 20 grams of net carbs, which is almost the entire daily allowance for a strict Keto diet.

Can I Include Lima Beans in a Keto Diet in a Smaller Quantity?

While the keto diet is a low-carb one, it doesn’t mean you have to eliminate carbs entirely. You could incorporate a small amount of lima beans into your diet, but it would take up a significant portion of your daily carb intake, leaving little room for other vegetables and carb-friendly foods. Being mindful of portion sizes and combining them with lower-carb foods is a potential strategy, but all-in-all it would still be challenging to maintain a state of ketosis.

What Nutrients are in Lima Beans?

Lima beans are a nutritious food that offers a variety of health benefits. They are a great source of dietary fiber and plant-based protein. Additionally, they contain important vitamins and minerals including Vitamins C, K, B6, and a rich supply of iron, magnesium, and potassium. However, with 20 grams of carbs per one-cup serving, they are not compatible with the low-carb requirement of Keto.

What are some Alternatives to Lima Beans on a Keto Diet?

If you’re looking for keto-friendly alternatives to lima beans, consider non-starchy vegetables like spinach, kale, cucumber, zucchini, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus. These vegetables are lower in carbs and thus more suitable for a keto diet. Other bean alternatives that are lower in carbs include green beans and black soybeans.

Are there Keto Recipes Using Lima Beans?

Given the high carb content of lima beans, they aren’t typically included in traditional keto recipes. It’s crucial to maintain ketosis for the diet to be effective. Thus, any recipes including lima beans would not be optimal for those following a strict ketogenic diet. You may find some low-carb recipes that incorporate a reduced quantity of lima beans, but these may not be suitable for people who adhere to a very low carb restriction.

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