The "RB" in "Arby's" isn't for "roast beef" like many people think — it's for the founders, the Raffel brothers. Even so, roast beef sandwiches are what made the chain famous. In the 1970s, the chain even advertised the "wholesome" health value of its roast beef compared to the burgers other fast food chains offered. Of course, roast beef isn't as wholesome and healthy as Arby's once made it out to be. So what are you really getting when you order a Beef 'N Cheddar or Arby's French dip, when it comes to fat, calories, and sodium? You may want to think twice before ordering Arby's roast beef.
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LifestyleTranscript
00:00At one time, Arby's was touted for its health value over other fast food options. But is
00:05that really the case? Keep watching for the truth about the chain's famous roast beef
00:10sandwiches.
00:11A busy family like ours can get a wholesome meal.
00:14Arby's is a wholesome change of taste.
00:16Arby's rose to fame because of its popular roast beef sandwiches. The fast food chain
00:20was founded in 1964 by brothers Leroy and Forrest Raffel. The brothers set themselves
00:25apart in the industry by avoiding burgers and serving roast beef sandwiches instead.
00:30And through the years, Arby's has expanded to include much more than just roast beef.
00:34Now, the menu offers options such as buffalo chicken and roast turkey sliders.
00:39Though the offerings at Arby's differ from the typical burger joint, one way in which
00:42the company has built a similar reputation to its competitors is in the area of nutrition.
00:47Like most fast food restaurants, Arby's isn't exactly known for its healthy options. And
00:51some nutrition facts might just make you think twice about ordering that signature beef and
00:56cheddar sandwich.
00:57Though Arby's is one of the most popular fast food chains in the country, those who enjoy
01:01indulging in the sandwich giant might want to reconsider if they're trying to stay healthy.
01:06Arby's adds some serious salt to its dishes, too much of which could lead to health problems
01:10down the line, according to the American Heart Association.
01:14Many of the sandwiches on the Arby's menu are also loaded with fat and calories. The
01:18Arby's Half Pound Beef and Cheddar Sandwich comes in at a whopping 740 calories, more
01:23than a third of a day's worth for those following a standard 2,000-calorie diet. According to
01:28Eat This, Not That, the sandwich also boasts 39 grams of fat and 2,530 milligrams of sodium.
01:35The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams per day in total.
01:40Those who love an Arby's sandwich can still enjoy themselves once in a while. But if you're
01:44watching your sodium or calorie intake, it's probably not an order you'd want to make a
01:48regular habit of purchasing.
01:51Arby's Half Pound Beef and Cheddar Sandwich is one of the menu's unhealthiest items, but
01:55there are a few other sandwiches you should avoid if you're not looking to add a ton of
01:58calories, fat, or sodium to your diet.
02:01"'Arby's, we have the meat!"
02:04Anything involving the words beef and cheddar likely isn't the healthiest option. In addition
02:09to the Half Pound Sandwich, Arby's also offers a classic Beef and Cheddar as well as a Double
02:13Beef and Cheddar. According to the Arby's menu, these are a bit healthier than the
02:17Half Pound option, but the classic, which is the healthiest of the three, is still teeming
02:21with 20 grams of fat and 1,280 milligrams of sodium.
02:26The Arby's French Dip Sandwich has an even higher salt content than the Beef and Cheddar
02:30options. The French Dip is loaded with 2,540 milligrams of sodium. That's more than an
02:35entire day's recommended sodium intake for a 2,000-calorie diet. And although the Smokehouse
02:40Brisket Sandwich contains about half the sodium of the Beef and Cheddar or French Dip,
02:45it doesn't lack calories or fat. This option weighs in at 600 calories and a whopping 33
02:51grams of fat.
02:52The bottom line? Step away from the roast beef section of the Arby's menu if you're
02:55looking for a sandwich that's at least somewhat healthy.
02:59Some Arby's sandwiches could turn customers off because of their nutritional breakdown,
03:03but there are a few solid options for those looking for nutrient-dense options at the
03:06fast food chain.
03:08The Arby's Roast Chicken Salad is one of the chain's healthiest entrees, consisting of
03:12roast chicken, bacon, cheese, and tomatoes over lettuce with buttermilk ranch dressing.
03:17It comes in at only 250 calories and 14 grams of fat. With 690 milligrams of sodium, this
03:23salad is one of Arby's options with the least amount of salt. Those who dig in will also
03:28get 25 grams of protein.
03:30If you're not looking for a salad, the Roast Turkey Gyro is also a good choice. It offers
03:35470 calories, which is on the low end for an entree. But the gyro does contain 20 grams
03:40of fat and 1,530 milligrams of sodium. Still, if you're not a salad fan, at least the gyro
03:46provides some vegetables and a solid amount of protein at 25 grams.