Why You Might Want To Think Twice About Ordering Arby's Roast Beef
Arby's rose to fame because of its popular roast beef sandwiches. The fast-food chain was founded in 1964 by brothers Leroy and Forrest Raffel. According to Funding Universe, the two brothers saw the writing on the wall that the fast-food industry was about to blow up, and they thought it made sense to dive into the beefy business venture head first.
The brothers set themselves apart in the industry by eschewing burgers and serving roast beef sandwiches instead. And through the years, Arby's has expanded to include much more than just roast beef. Now, the menu offers options such as buffalo chicken and roast turkey sliders.
Though the offerings at Arby's differ from the typical burger joint, one way in which the company has built a similar reputation to its competitors is in the area of nutrition. Like most fast-food restaurants, Arby's isn't exactly known for its healthy options — and some nutrition facts might just make you think twice about ordering that signature Beef 'N Cheddar sandwich.
Arby's roast beef is packed with sodium
Though Arby's is one of the most popular fast-food chains in the country, per QSR, those who enjoy indulging in the sandwich giant might want to reconsider if they're trying to stay healthy. Fast food isn't typically known for being nutrient-dense, but Arby's adds some serious salt to its dishes — too much of which could lead to health problems down the line, according to the American Heart Association. Many of the sandwiches on the Arby's menu are also loaded with fat and calories.
The Arby's half-pound beef 'n cheddar sandwich comes in at a whopping 740 calories — more than a third of a day's worth for those following a standard 2,000 calorie diet, per Eat This, Not That!. The sandwich also boasts 39 grams of fat and 2,530 milligrams of sodium. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams per day in total.
Those who love an Arby's sandwich can still enjoy themselves once in a while. But if you're watching your sodium or calorie intake, it's probably not an order you'd want to make a regular habit of purchasing.
You might want to avoid a few other Arby's options, too
Arby's half-pound Beef 'N Cheddar sandwich is one of the menu's unhealthiest items, but there are a few other sandwiches you should avoid if you're not looking to add a ton of calories, fat, or sodium to your diet.
Anything involving the words "beef" and cheddar" likely isn't the healthiest option. In addition to the half-pound sandwich, Arby's also offers a classic Beef 'N Cheddar as well as a double Beef 'N Cheddar. According to the Arby's menu, these are a bit healthier than that half-pound option, but the classic (which is the healthiest of the three) is still teeming with 20 grams of fat and 1,280 milligrams of sodium.
The Arby's French dip sandwich is even higher in salt content than the Beef 'N Cheddar options. The French dip is loaded with 2,540 milligrams of sodium — more than an entire day's recommended sodium intake for a 2,000-calorie diet. And alhough the smokehouse brisket sandwich contains about half the sodium of the Beef 'N Cheddar or French dip, it doesn't lack calories or fat. This option weighs in at 600 calories and a whopping 33 grams of fat. The bottom line? Step away from the roast beef section of the Arby's menu if you're looking for a sandwich that's at least somewhat healthy.
These are the best choices for those looking for a healthy meal
Some Arby's sandwiches could turn customers off because of their nutritional breakdown, but there are a few solid options for those looking for nutrient-dense options at the fast-food chain.
The Arby's roast chicken salad is one of the chain's healthiest entrées (even though some customers are skeptical about the quality of Arby's salads). The salad consists of roast chicken, bacon, cheese, and tomatoes over lettuce with buttermilk ranch dressing. It comes in at only 250 calories and 14 grams of fat — substantially lower than any of the sandwich options. Plus, with 690 milligrams of sodium, this salad is one of the Arby's options with the least amount of salt. Those who dig in will also get 25 grams of protein.
If you're not looking for a salad, the roast turkey gyro is also a good choice. It offers 470 calories, which is on the low end for an entrée. But the gyro does contain 20 grams of fat and 1,530 milligrams of sodium. Still, if you're not a salad fan, at least the gyro provides some vegetables and a solid amount of protein at 25 grams.