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Fresh broad beans appear as plump, elongated green pods with a softly ridged surface, alongside a few large, smooth, pale-green beans removed from their pods.
●Low GI
★Natural
⚡High Potassium

Broad Beans Calories

Rich in protein and fiber, source of folate and iron

In season: Spring · Summer

CALORIES · 100 G

88kcal

GI

40low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

332mg

FIBER · 100 G

7.5g

Quick answer

1 cup (medium) of Broad Beans (170 g) has 150 calories. That works out to 88 calories per 100 g. It contains 30.6 g of carbs, 12.9 g of protein, 0.9 g of fat and 12.8 g of fiber. Its 719.1 µg of Folate covers 180% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 40 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Broad Beans Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 cup (medium) · 170 g

150

KCAL / 170G

Carbs

30.6g

· 11% DV

Protein

12.9g

· 26% DV

Fat

0.9g

· 1% DV

Fiber

12.8g

· 46% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 67% · Protein 28% · Fat 5%

Broad Beans nutrition facts table · 1 cup (medium) (170 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories150 kcal
Total fat0.9 g1%
Saturated fat0.17 g1%
Trans fat0 g
Sodium43 mg2%
Total carbohydrate30.6 g11%
Fiber12.8 g46%
Protein12.9 g26%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

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How Many Calories in 1 Cup of Broad Beans?

ServingAmountCalories
1 cup (medium)170 g150 kcal
1 piece (whole)12 g11 kcal
1 tablespoon (chopped)15 g13 kcal
½ cup (small)85 g75 kcal
100 g100 g88 kcal
1 cup (chopped)130 g114 kcal
1 serving (medium)150 g132 kcal
1 cup (chopped)180 g158 kcal
2 cup (large)340 g299 kcal

Calculated from 88 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Broad Beans

How do you cook broad beans?

Cook fresh broad beans by removing them from their pods and simmering them until tender; older beans may also need their outer skins peeled. Dried broad beans usually need soaking before simmering until soft.

Are broad beans the same as fava beans?

Yes. Broad beans and fava beans are two common names for the same legume, Vicia faba. Recipes may use either name, though “fava” often refers to the dried beans or a purée made from them.

Can you eat broad beans raw?

Young, tender broad beans can be eaten raw, but cooking is more common and makes them softer. People with G6PD deficiency should avoid broad beans, raw or cooked, because they can trigger favism.

Do broad beans need to be peeled?

Young broad beans can be eaten with their thin skins, but larger, mature beans often taste better peeled. To remove the skins easily, briefly blanch the shelled beans and slip each bean out of its loosened skin.

How do you store fresh broad beans?

Keep fresh broad beans unwashed in a breathable bag in the refrigerator and use them within a few days for the best texture. Store cooked beans in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze broad beans?

Yes. Shell fresh broad beans, blanch them briefly, cool them quickly, drain well, and freeze in portions. Small beans can be cooked from frozen; larger beans may be easier to peel after blanching.

What is the difference between fresh and dried broad beans?

Fresh broad beans are tender, green beans removed from their pods and cook relatively quickly. Dried broad beans are mature beans with most of their moisture removed, so they generally need soaking and a longer cooking time.

Why do broad beans cause gas?

Broad beans can cause gas because their fiber and certain carbohydrates are fermented by gut bacteria. Cooking them thoroughly and increasing the portion gradually may help, though some people remain sensitive to them.

Are broad beans safe for people with G6PD deficiency?

No. Broad beans can trigger favism, a potentially serious breakdown of red blood cells, in people with G6PD deficiency. Cooking does not remove this risk, so anyone with the deficiency should avoid them and ask their doctor about individual precautions.

What is fava made from?

Fava is usually made from dried broad beans that are soaked, cooked until soft, and mashed with olive oil and seasonings. The name can also describe a dip or purée, and recipes vary by region.

Broad Beans Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

Folate

719.1µg · 180% DV

Vitamin C

56.1mg · 62% DV

B1

0.51mg · 43% DV

Biotin

10.2µg · 34% DV

Minerals

Copper

0.51mg · 57% DV

Manganese

0.85mg · 37% DV

Phosphorus

231mg · 33% DV

Magnesium

73mg · 17% DV

Potassium ⭐

564mg · 17% DV

Sodium

43mg · 2% DV

Broad Beans Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

40
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

11.9
Medium

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Broad Beans

To burn the 150 calories in 1 cup (medium) (170 g):

🚶

37min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

15min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

20min

Cycling

🏊

17min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Broad Beans?

Broad beans, also called fava beans, are the edible seeds of a legume plant, eaten fresh or dried. They are common across Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking, where fresh pods are enjoyed in season and dried beans are used in soups, purées and dips.

The beans have a gentle, earthy sweetness and turn tender and creamy when cooked. Serve them simply with herbs and olive oil, or mash them into a dip; in Britain, they also appear as a seasonal side or ingredient in salads. Broad beans provide both protein and fibre, with 7.5 g of fibre per 100 g. For a lighter dish, use a modest amount of oil and bring out their flavour with lemon and fresh herbs.

How Nutritious Is Broad Beans?

Nutrient density

Very high

80/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

High

73/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Is Broad Beans Processed?

NOVA 1

Unprocessed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Broad Beans Contain Allergens?

No known major allergens

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Broad Beans Good For?

Vegan

✓ Suitable

Vegetarian

✓ Suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

— Not suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

— Not suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Broad Beans Fat Profile

SATURATED

0.17g

MONOUNSATURATED

0.05g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.34g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 4.8:1

Above the ideal 4:1 (4.8:1).

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116 kcal

🌱

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121 kcal

🫘

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120 kcal

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.