The Shocking Amount of Sodium in Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwiches

Arby’s is known for its delicious roast beef sandwiches. The roast beef is tasty, the bread is soft, and the sauces add great flavor. However, you may be surprised to learn just how much sodium is packed into an Arby’s roast beef sandwich.

I recently learned the startling sodium statistics for Arby’s signature roast beef offerings Some sandwiches contain well over 2,000 mg of sodium – which is nearly an entire day’s recommended amount in just one sandwich!

In this article, I’ll break down the crazy high sodium levels in some of Arby’s most popular roast beef sandwiches. I’ll also offer tips for reducing your sodium intake if you want to keep enjoying Arby’s without going overboard on salt.

Why Arby’s Roast Beef is So High in Sodium

As a fast food chain specializing in piled-high roast beef sandwiches, it’s no wonder that Arby’s offerings are sodium shockers. Cured, processed meats like roast beef naturally contain a good amount of sodium.

But Arby’s takes it up a notch by adding even more salt during the cooking process Seasoning the roast beef with extra sodium enhances the flavor. However, it also significantly increases the final sodium counts to ridiculous levels

Some Arby’s sandwiches now contain over 2,000 mg of sodium – the equivalent of nearly 1 teaspoon of table salt! It’s easy to see why their slogan isn’t “We Have the Low Sodium Options.”

Clearly, moderation is key if you want to keep enjoying Arby’s signature roast beef without consuming dangerous levels of sodium. So let’s take a look at exactly how much salt is hiding in some of their most popular menu items.

Sodium in Arby’s Classic Roast Beef Sandwich

The Arby’s classic roast beef sandwich contains:

• 360 calories
• 970 mg sodium

That’s already 41% of the recommended daily sodium limit of 2,300 mg in just one regular roast beef sandwich!

It’s enough sodium to make you seriously thirsty after eating it. No wonder Arby’s sells so much soda!

Sodium in Arby’s French Dip Roast Beef Sandwich

Taking it up a notch, the Arby’s French Dip roast beef sandwich has:

• 540 calories
• 2,550 mg sodium

So this single sandwich contains your entire recommended daily sodium intake. That’s absolutely insane!

You might need an IV saline drip to recover from all that salt. And don’t even think about getting it with the au jus dip, which adds even more sodium.

Sodium in Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar Roast Beef Sandwich

As if the sodium counts weren’t crazy enough already, the Beef ‘n Cheddar sandwich really takes things over the top:

• 710 calories
• 3,060 mg sodium

That’s right, this Arby’s menu staple has over 100% of the recommended daily limit for sodium in just one sandwich!

At this point, you might as well just sprinkle salt on your tongue and wash it down with soy sauce. It would probably be healthier than housing an entire Beef ‘n Cheddar in one sitting.

Comparing Arby’s Roast Beef Sodium to Other Restaurants

To put Arby’s over-the-top sodium numbers into perspective, here’s how their roast beef sandwiches compare to similar options from other popular chains:

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

As you can see, no one even comes close to Arby’s sky-high sodium content. Subway’s comparable roast beef sandwich has nearly 500 mg less sodium!

Clearly, Arby’s is in a sodium league of its own when it comes to piling on the salt.

Health Concerns About Eating Too Much Sodium

Consuming extremely high levels of sodium can negatively impact health in various ways:

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

That’s why health experts recommend limiting sodium to less than 2,300 mg per day as part of an overall healthy diet.

But with a single Arby’s sandwich containing well over 100% of your daily limit, it’s easy to see how eating too many could quickly send your sodium intake through the roof.

Tips for Reducing Sodium When Eating Arby’s Roast Beef

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

• Stick to the Classic Roast Beef and avoid extra cheesy options or heavy sauces.
• Ask for no seasoning on the meat to minimize added sodium.
• Get a side salad instead of salt-heavy curly fries.
• Opt for water or diet soda instead of salty soft drinks.
• Split a sandwich with a friend to reduce your overall sodium intake.

Following a low-sodium diet doesn’t mean swearing off Arby’s entirely. You just need to make smart choices to control your salt exposure from their famously salty roast beef.

Should You Say Goodbye to Arby’s If You’re Sodium-Conscious?

For those who are sodium-sensitive or on a doctor-recommended low-sodium diet, Arby’s offerings pose an obvious problem. Consuming even one roast beef sandwich could easily exceed your safe daily limits.

In those cases, you may need to avoid Arby’s roast beef completely and choose lower-sodium options like their turkey or ham sandwiches instead.

However, if you are generally healthy, an occasional indulgence in Arby’s high-sodium roast beef likely won’t cause harm. Just be mindful of your total daily sodium intake on those days. Moderation and balance is key.

I will certainly be more conscious of just how incredibly salt-heavy Arby’s roast beef really is from now on. My eyes nearly popped out of my skull when I saw the nutrition stats! But I still plan to enjoy an overstuffed Beef ‘n Cheddar every now and then as a special treat.

The truth is that understanding the sodium content in Arby’s roast beef sandwiches can help you make informed choices when it comes to your fast food meals. With moderation and customization, you can still enjoy the delicious taste of Arby’s while maintaining a balanced diet.