Mediterranean Legumes Guide

12 items classified under standard Mediterranean guidelines.

This guide covers all 12 legumes classified under Mediterranean guidelines. Mediterranean evaluates foods primarily by how often the food appears in the traditional Mediterranean pattern, which determines how each item in this category is classified.

Good news for Mediterranean followers: all legumes fit the diet. These foods are a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. The nutrition details below help you compare within the category to find the best options for your specific needs.

Quick Reference

Food Status Calories (per 100g)
Black-Eyed Peas Allowed 166kcal
Canned Beans Allowed 189kcal
Chickpeas Allowed 378kcal
Hummus Allowed 237kcal
Lentils Allowed 352kcal
Lima Beans Allowed 113kcal
Mung Beans Allowed 347kcal
Navy Beans Allowed 337kcal
Peanut Butter Allowed 588kcal
Pinto Beans Allowed 191kcal
Soybeans Allowed 147kcal
White Beans Allowed 188kcal

Classification Breakdown

12 Allowed — These legumes are a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern.

Mediterranean is a frequency pattern, not a banned-list diet. Most foods fit somewhere on the spectrum.

Allowed Legumes (12)

Black-Eyed Peas

Allowed

With 166kcal calories per 100g, Black-Eyed Peas earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. This means it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. It also contains 7.2g protein and 7g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 12 items in this category, black-eyed peas sits at the low end for calories — next closest is White Beans at 188kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

166kcalCalories
7.2gProtein
7gFat
19.3gCarbs
6gFiber

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Canned Beans

Allowed

Canned Beans is classified as Allowed on Mediterranean, with 189kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Nutritionally, it also delivers 8.3g protein and 7.1g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between White Beans and Pinto Beans for calories, ranking 5 of 12.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

189kcalCalories
8.3gProtein
7.1gFat
23.8gCarbs
8.3gFiber

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Chickpeas

Allowed

Chickpeas is classified as Allowed on Mediterranean, with 378kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Nutritionally, it also delivers 20.5g protein and 6g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Lentils at 352kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Dry378kcal20.5g6g63g12.2g
Cooked (boiled)164kcal8.9g2.6g27.4g7.6g
Canned139kcal7.1g2.5g22.6g5.4g

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Hummus

Allowed

With 237kcal calories per 100g, Hummus earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. This means it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. It also contains 7.8g protein and 17.8g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Pinto Beans and Navy Beans for calories, ranking 7 of 12.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

237kcalCalories
7.8gProtein
17.8gFat
15gCarbs
5.5gFiber

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Lentils

Allowed

At 352kcal calories per 100g, Lentils falls into the Allowed category under Mediterranean guidelines. It is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Beyond the primary classification, lentils also provides 24.6g protein and 10.7g fiber per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Mung Beans at 347kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Dry352kcal24.6g1.1g63.4g10.7g
Cooked (boiled)114kcal9g0.4g19.5g7.9g

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Lima Beans

Allowed

With 113kcal calories per 100g, Lima Beans earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. It is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Beyond the primary classification, lima beans also provides 6.8g protein and 4.9g fiber per 100g. Among the 12 items in this category, lima beans sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Soybeans at 147kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

113kcalCalories
6.8gProtein
0.9gFat
20.2gCarbs
4.9gFiber

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Mung Beans

Allowed

At 347kcal calories per 100g, Mung Beans falls into the Allowed category under Mediterranean guidelines. The classification reflects that it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Nutritionally, it also delivers 23.9g protein and 16.3g fiber per serving. Within this category, it falls between Navy Beans and Lentils for calories, ranking 9 of 12.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

347kcalCalories
23.9gProtein
1.2gFat
62.6gCarbs
16.3gFiber

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Peanut Butter

Allowed

Peanut Butter is classified as Allowed on Mediterranean, with 588kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. It also contains 25.1g protein and 50.4g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Chickpeas at 378kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Smooth598kcal22.2g51.4g22.3g5g
Smooth (no salt)598kcal22.2g51.4g22.3g5g

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Pinto Beans

Allowed

With 191kcal calories per 100g, Pinto Beans earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. This means it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. It also contains 8.4g protein and 7.1g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Canned Beans and Hummus for calories, ranking 6 of 12.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Dry62kcal5.3g0.9g11.6g
Cooked (boiled)143kcal9g0.7g26.2g9g

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Soybeans

Allowed

At 147kcal calories per 100g, Soybeans falls into the Allowed category under Mediterranean guidelines. The classification reflects that it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Nutritionally, it also delivers 13g protein and 6.8g fat per serving. Among the 12 items in this category, soybeans sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Black-Eyed Peas at 166kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

147kcalCalories
13gProtein
6.8gFat
11gCarbs
4.2gFiber

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White Beans

Allowed

White Beans is classified as Allowed on Mediterranean, with 188kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Nutritionally, it also delivers 9g protein and 6.8g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Black-Eyed Peas and Canned Beans for calories, ranking 4 of 12.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

188kcalCalories
9gProtein
6.8gFat
23.3gCarbs
5.9gFiber

Compare White Beans across all diets