• Worst–Beef ‘n’ cheddar (max): When ordered in the “max” portion, this simple sandwich–piled-high with thinly sliced roast beef, two slices of melted cheddar, and red ranch sauce all on an onion roll–packs a whopping 2,330 milligrams of sodium, 650 calories, and 110 milligrams of cholesterol (among other scary stats). It even bests the decadent (but smaller) bacon beef ‘n’ cheddar sandwich.
“They say they make ‘good mood food’ but just the other day I said to my colleague, ‘What does that actually mean?” registered dietitian Nour Zibdeh, MS says of Arby’s, which has multiple locations in Northern Virginia and around the Beltway, but still has yet to open in DC. “The options are not bad . . . the sodium is high, but for someone who eats out only one meal a day and cooks the rest of their meals at home, it’s okay.”
The fast-food-sandwich market is not an easy one to conquer, but it’s reasonable to say Arby’s has the whole “roast beef” quadrant in the bag. And it’s a good niche to cover–the FDA recognizes roast beef as an extra-lean cut, which means it’s pretty healthy as far as meat goes. But are Arby’s menu offerings wholesome enough to keep this week’s expert in a good mood?
• Worst–Roast turkey ranch and bacon sandwich: On first glance it seems decent–it has lean roast turkey sliced in-store, honey wheat bread, and the first veggies we’ve seen so far in the analysis. But order this and you’re eating 800 calories, 36 grams of fat, and 2,200 milligrams of sodium. (The bread is made with enriched flour, not whole wheat, and the ranch, cheese, and bacon won’t do your waistline any favors.) If you have an incurable jones for this sandwich, go for the wrap version instead.
But Zibdeh also says it’s possible to enjoy dining out in moderation, and with a bit of mindfulness. Be careful with sauces, dips, and condiments–as she points out, Arby’s Buffalo dipping sauce is 720 milligrams of sodium all by itself. Try not to have too much cheese–if you have it at all, go for items that mention exactly how much you’re getting (like a sandwich with one slice of cheddar as opposed to a cup of mac and cheese). Finally, swap the fries for a side salad to add extra fiber, and remember that a wrap is usually better than a sandwich because it shaves off some carbs.
How Many Calories in Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwich
Arby’s roast beef sandwich is available in three sizes: Classic, Double, and Half Pound.
Below are the nutrition facts for all Arby’s Roast Beef sandwiches, including the classic, the double, and the half pound option.
Classic Roast Beef Sandwich Nutrition Facts:
This is the sandwich that put roast beef on the map.
Double Roast Beef Sandwich Nutritional Information:
The same ingredients and the same recipe as the classic sandwich, but with two times the amount of Arby’s roast beef.
Half Pound Roast Beef Sandwich Calories:
Arby’s largest roast beef sandwich. This one’s not for everyone. Not just because of the huge amount of calories and fat it has, but because it’s too big to eat the entire thing.
FAQ
Is Arby’s roast beef high in sodium?
How much sodium is in a medium roast beef from Arby’s?
How much sodium is in a regular Arby’s sandwich?
Is Arby’s classic roast beef sandwich healthy?
