Lima beans glycemic index
Lima beans has a glycemic index of 31, which is low. A 150 g serving (about 3/4 cup cooked) has a glycemic load of 7 (low).
Also known as: butter beans
- Serving150 g
- Available carbs21 g
- Fiber11 g
- Sugars4.4 g
- Protein12 g
- Calories173 kcal
Serving: about 3/4 cup cooked.
What to know
Lima and butter beans are low GI with a creamy texture that works well in stews and salads.
Glycemic load by portion size
GI stays the same whatever you eat, but glycemic load scales with the amount: eating twice as much doubles the effect on blood sugar.
| Amount | Available carbs | Glycemic load | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 g | 7 g | 2 | Low |
| 100 g | 14 g | 4 | Low |
| 150 g · about 3/4 cup cooked | 21 g | 6 | Low |
| 300 g · double serving | 42 g | 13 | Medium |
What the studies found
The value of 31 is the median of 9 published measurements in the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021). Results range from 26 to 54. That spread is normal: GI changes with variety, ripeness, cooking and processing, and between labs.
Each dot is one study. Green dots followed the ISO 26642 standard method.
- 26 · UK 2005
- 28 · South Africa 1984
- 29 · South Africa 1986
- 30 · South Africa 1986
- 31 · South Africa 1986
- 33 · Canada 1992
- 36 · Australia 2003
- 36 · Canada 1981
- 54 · South Africa 1986
Lima beans compared with other legumes
Similar low-GI foods
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Frequently asked questions
Is lima beans low glycemic?
Yes. With a GI of 31, lima beans is in the low range (55 or less).
What is the glycemic load of lima beans?
A 150 g serving (about 3/4 cup cooked) has a glycemic load of 7, which is low. Glycemic load combines GI with the amount of carbohydrate in the portion: 10 or less is low, 11 to 19 medium and 20 or more high.
Can people with diabetes eat lima beans?
With a GI of 31 and a low glycemic load per serving, lima beans usually fits a diabetes-friendly diet in normal portions. Everyone responds differently, so talk to your doctor or dietitian about your plan.
How many carbs are in lima beans?
A 150 g serving has about 31 g of total carbohydrate, including 10.5 g of fiber, leaving 20.9 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 20.9 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (150 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 115 kcal | 173 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 21 g | 31 g |
| Available carbs | 14 g | 21 g |
| Fiber | 7 g | 11 g |
| Sugars | 2.9 g | 4.4 g |
| Protein | 7.8 g | 12 g |
| Fat | 0.4 g | 0.6 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Lima beans, large, mature seeds, cooked, boiled, without salt (SR Legacy, FDC 174253). Available carbohydrate = total carbohydrate minus fiber.
Sources: Atkinson FS, Brand-Miller JC, Foster-Powell K, Buyken AE, Goletzke J. International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021;114(5):1625–1632. USDA FoodData Central. How we calculate each value: Methodology & sources.
Data last reviewed 2026-09-29.