The classic roast beef sandwich from Arby's is a popular choice for those looking for a quick lunch. But is it really good for you? The answer is yes and no. The classic roast beef sandwich contains 970 milligrams of sodium, which is more than half of the recommended daily intake for adults. And the half-pound roast beef sandwich contains the whopping 2,040 milligrams of sodium, and other menu items can go even higher.
While it's OK to enjoy Arby's from time to time, make sure to limit your visits and balance the rest of your diet with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. If you're looking for a healthier option, the classic roast beef sandwich is a good choice. It only has 360 calories and 14 grams of fat, which is pretty good for a fast food sandwich. There's also 970 mg of sodium, which isn't very good, but it's also not the worst thing you can do when you need a quick lunch.
One of the healthiest sandwiches you can order on the menu is Arby's classic roast beef. At just 360 calories, this sandwich has half the calories and only about a quarter of the sodium of half-pound French sauce with Swiss cheese and au jus. When in doubt, stick to the classics. Customers didn't know they had anything other than roast beef, and that's a problem that led to a complete overhaul of Arby's image.
If you order one of the healthiest sandwiches above, avoid the side of curly fries and order the side salad for less than 100 calories and five grams of protein. If you must eat cheese, stick to products that specify how much you will receive (such as a sandwich with a slice of cheddar cheese instead of a cup of macaroni and cheese). Arby's may have built their business on roast beef, but in recent years, they've been trying to emphasize to current and potential customers that it's not all it's about. A one-ounce serving of roast beef contains approximately 50 calories, so a sandwich with approximately three ounces of roast beef (the suggested amount for a good roast beef sandwich) will only have 150 calories from the meat.
Go for something a little meatier like Half Pound Beef 'n Cheddar, and you'll get 740 calories, 39 grams of fat, and a whopping 2530 mg of sodium. The most nutritious main course on the menu is Arby's signature roast beef sandwich. While this sandwich has less sodium than the two that precede it, it has a lot of total fat, not to mention 1.5 grams of which are trans fats. Although the fast-food sandwich industry is difficult to decipher, it's safe to say that Arby's has the entire “roast beef” quadrant under control.
Arby's roast beef has quite a distinctive taste and texture, and it's definitely something of love or hate. Every Arby location gets their roast beef in airtight bags, and when they get it, it seems a little suspicious. In conclusion, while Arby's roast beef sandwiches are not necessarily healthy for you in large quantities or on a regular basis, they can be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet. The classic roast beef sandwich is one of the healthier options on the menu with only 360 calories and 14 grams of fat.
