These 2 Bone-Healthy Dessert Recipes Have a Surprising Flour Replacement With 12 Foundation Supplements

Vivian Goldschmidt, MA Nutrition

Evidence-Based
5 min Read
desserts lima beans

Beans are an excellent vegan source of protein, fiber, and a large variety of bone-healthy vitamins and minerals. The only drawback is that most beans are acidifying, except for one.

Fortunately, that single alkalizing type of bean offers a whopping 12 different Foundation Supplements, alongside a bevy of other important nutrients. Even better, this bean has remarkable versatility.

We'll take advantage of this today with two delicious 100% alkalizing recipes that incorporate this bean instead of flour to make bone-healthy brownies and no-bake chocolate balls. You have to try it to believe it!

The Power Of Lima Beans

Lima beans, a classification that includes what some regions call butter beans, are named for the city of Lima in Peru. This healthy legume has been a staple food there for more than 6,000 years.

That bodes well for the people of Lima because these beans are packed with vitamins and minerals.

Here are 15 bone-building nutrients you'll find in one cup of cooked lima beans:

  • Calcium*: 50mg
  • Molybdenum: 142 mcg
  • Magnesium*: 81mg
  • Zinc*: 1.79mg
  • Copper*: 0.442mg
  • Potassium: 955mg
  • Vitamin B1* (Thiamine): .303mg
  • Vitamin B2* (Riboflavin): .103mg
  • Vitamin B3* (Niacin): 0.791mg
  • Vitamin B5* (Pantothenic Acid): 0.793mg
  • Vitamin B6*: .303mg
  • Vitamin B9* (Folate): 156mcg
  • Vitamin K*: 3.8mcg
  • Manganese*: .97mg
  • Phosphorus: 209mg

*Foundation Supplement

Synopsis

Lima beans, sometimes known as butter beans, are packed with vitamins and minerals, including 12 Foundation Supplements.

How To Buy Your Beans

Lima beans don't lose any of the nutritional value when canned, however, most cans have an interior lining that contains Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic form of the hormone estrogen. It easily breaks down and enters foods, making its way into our bodies where it can cause health problems. So make sure that you only get the cans that don’t contain BPA.

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If you prefer, you can cook dried beans. When selecting your beans, make sure they are relatively uniform in shape and size. Most likely they'll be sold in a plastic bag — when you get home put them in a glass container before storing them in your freezer or pantry.

One convenient thing about frozen beans is that you don't need to thaw them before cooking, but make sure you soak them in cold water overnight to reduce the indigestible sugars that cause flatulence.

Synopsis

You can get canned (always select BPA-free cans), dried, or frozen lima beans. Store your dried or frozen beans in a glass container in your pantry or freezer. You can cook frozen beans right out of the freezer. Soak dried beans in cold water overnight before cooking.

Two Lima Bean Bolstered Desserts

When you think of baking desserts, you probably don’t think of beans. Today's recipes are going to change that forever. In many cultures, beans have been used as the base for dessert for centuries. Now you can take advantage of the nutritional power of lima beans while you satisfy your sweet tooth!

Better-For-Bones Blond Brownies

100% Alkalizing
10 Servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked lima beans
  • 1/2 cup almond butter
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon stevia powder or monk fruit sweetener (adjust to desired sweetness)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/3 + 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees and spread oil on an 8×8 baking dish.
  2. Use a blender or food processor to puree the lima beans until they form a smooth paste.
  3. Add almond butter, honey, stevia, vanilla, salt, baking powder, and baking soda to the bean mixture and process for about 10-15 seconds until the mixture is well combined. Fold in 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips.
  4. Place the batter in a baking dish and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips.
  5. Bake in the oven for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until a knife/toothpick comes out clean.

No-Bake Protein Chocolate Balls

100% Alkalizing
10 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup lima beans, cooked
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 3 tablespoons cacao powder
  • 1/2 cup whey protein
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 teaspoons stevia powder or monk fruit sweetener (adjust to desired sweetness)
  • 2 tablespoons almond milk (or your favorite non-dairy creamer)
  • Slivered almonds for topping (optional)

Directions:

  1. In a blender or food processor blend all ingredients until the mixture becomes smooth.
  2. Roll the mixture into 10 balls and coat with slivered almonds, if desired.
  3. Refrigerate for at least one hour before consuming.

What This Means To You

If you appreciate creative, bone-healthy variations on comforting classics, then you should definitely check out the Save Institute's cookbook and meal planner Bone Appetit. It has more inventive recipes like these, alongside simple and easy-to-follow recipes for dishes that have always been bone-friendly.

Every meal of your day has the ability to be satisfying, exciting, and bone-healthy. You should look forward to meals, both as a cook and as a diner. Food is one of the foremost ways we take care of ourselves and each other, so take the time to make eating enjoyable and nourishing every day.

Delicious, Bone-Healthy Meals Made Simple

Support your bones with 200+ easy, flavorful recipes designed to naturally boost bone strength—without spending hours in the kitchen. Bone Appétit takes the guesswork out of eating for bone health, so you can enjoy every meal with confidence.

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