The Salty Truth: Just How Much Sodium is in Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwiches?

Arby’s is known for its tasty sliced roast beef sandwiches But those crave-worthy stacks of meat can pack a startlingly high amount of sodium If you’re watching your salt intake, you may be shocked to learn just how much sodium is lurking in some of Arby’s most popular roast beef menu items.

In this article, I’ll break down the sodium content in various Arby’s roast beef sandwiches to reveal their shockingly high salt stats. My goal is to educate roast beef lovers on how to enjoy Arby’s sensibly without going overboard on sodium

Why Arby’s Roast Beef is So High in Sodium

First, it’s helpful to understand why Arby’s roast beef contains sky-high sodium levels in the first place.

There are two main reasons:

• Processed meat naturally contains sodium – Roast beef is a cured and processed meat. The curing process involves salt, which adds a lot of inherent sodium.

• Additional seasoning – Arby’s adds even more salt and seasoning to enhance flavor during the cooking process. The more flavorful the roast beef, the better the sandwich. But all that extra seasoning significantly increases sodium.

With both the processing and added seasoning, some Arby’s roast beef sandwiches now contain over 2,000mg of sodium. That’s nearly an entire day’s worth of sodium in one sandwich!

Clearly, moderation is key if you want to keep enjoying Arby’s roast beef without consuming excessive amounts of salt.

Sodium Content in Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwiches

Now let’s examine the sodium counts for some of Arby’s most popular roast beef sandwiches:

Arby’s Classic Roast Beef Sandwich

• 360 calories
• 970mg sodium

The classic sandwich contains over 40% of the recommended 2,300mg daily sodium limit in just one regular-sized portion. That’s a huge dose of salt from one basic sandwich.

Arby’s French Dip Roast Beef Sandwich

• 540 calories
• 2,550mg sodium

The French Dip packs more than your full daily recommended sodium intake into a single sandwich. Dipping it in the au jus would add even more salt.

Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar Roast Beef Sandwich

• 710 calories
• 3,060mg sodium

The Beef ‘n Cheddar takes things to another level, with over 100% of the daily sodium limit in one sandwich. It’s incredibly easy to consume dangerous levels of sodium from just this one menu item.

Comparing To Other Sandwich Chains

To put Arby’s massive sodium counts into perspective, here’s how their roast beef sandwiches compare to similar options from other popular chains:

• Arby’s Roast Beef – 970mg sodium
• Subway Roast Beef – 590mg sodium
• Quiznos Roast Beef – 670mg sodium
• Jimmy John’s Roast Beef – 810mg sodium

As you can see, no other major sandwich chain comes close to the sky-high sodium levels found at Arby’s. Their roast beef is truly in a league of its own when it comes to shockingly high salt content.

Health Risks of Too Much Sodium

Consuming extremely high sodium levels can negatively impact health:

• Increased blood pressure
• Higher risk of heart disease and stroke
• Fluid retention
• Kidney problems

Health experts recommend limiting sodium to less than 2,300mg daily as part of a healthy diet. With a single Arby’s sandwich often exceeding that entire limit, it’s clearly very easy to overdo it.

Tips for Reducing Sodium at Arby’s

Here are some tips to help enjoy Arby’s roast beef without going overboard on sodium:

• Stick to the Classic Roast Beef and avoid extra cheesy options.
• Request no added seasoning on the meat.
• Choose a side salad instead of salty fries.
• Opt for water instead of salty soda.
• Split a sandwich with a friend.

You don’t have to totally swear off Arby’s to eat lower sodium. Just make smart menu choices and watch your total daily sodium intake.

The Bottom Line

Arby’s roast beef is famous for its flavor, but the salty truth is that it also contains shockingly high levels of sodium. Consuming too many Arby’s sandwiches too frequently can easily send anyone over their healthy daily sodium limit.

While the occasional high-sodium treat may be fine for most people, those with specific sodium-related health issues should use extreme caution. For them, avoiding Arby’s roast beef completely may be the smartest option.

But for sodium-conscious roast beef lovers, the key is moderation. Be mindful of your total daily sodium intake, make smart menu picks, and limit higher-sodium Arby’s meals to occasional indulgences rather than regular habits. With some care and restraint, you can still enjoy Arby’s sensibly without losing control of your sodium consumption.