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Diet guide · 7 min read

Healthiest Arby’s Menu Items 2026: Low-Calorie, High-Protein Picks

The healthiest Arby's choices are the Classic Roast Beef (360 calories, 23 g protein), the Ham & Swiss Melt (380 calories, 26 g protein) and, while they last, Steak Nuggets (240 calories, 36 g protein for 9).

Healthiest Arby's menu items: A deli sandwich piled with sliced meat (USMenuz guide cover)
Photo: Pastrami-Sandwich by Erika39, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and framed by USMenuz.

Arby’s has a reputation for giant meat-stacked sandwiches, but you can still eat light there. The healthiest Arby’s orders are simple ones: the classic roast beef, a melt, or a couple of sliders, with a small side or none. Below, we sorted Arby’s whole menu by calories, protein, saturated fat and sodium, using only Arby’s official nutrition data.

You’ll find the lowest-calorie sandwiches, the most protein per calorie, lighter breakfasts and sides, and the items that use up a full day’s sodium in one go. Every number comes from Arby’s own US nutrition guide for 2026.

The healthiest Arby’s sandwiches and mains

These are Arby’s main items with at least 18 grams of protein, sorted from the fewest calories. Anything under about 450 calories with 20-plus grams of protein is a solid, filling meal.

Menu item Calories Protein Sat. fat Sodium
Steak Nuggets (5) (limited time) 140 20 g 2 g 440 mg
Steak Nuggets (9) (limited time) 240 36 g 3.5 g 780 mg
Arby’s Melt 330 18 g 4 g 940 mg
Classic Roast Beef 360 23 g 5 g 970 mg
Chicken Tenders (3) 370 23 g 3 g 1,190 mg
Ham & Swiss Melt 380 26 g 5 g 1,370 mg
ArbyQ 420 18 g 3.5 g 1,220 mg
Super Roast Beef 440 23 g 6 g 1,080 mg
Classic Beef ‘n Cheddar 450 23 g 6 g 1,280 mg
Double Roast Beef 510 38 g 9 g 1,610 mg
Classic French Dip & Swiss/Au Jus 530 34 g 10 g 2,540 mg
Crispy Chicken 530 24 g 4.5 g 1,410 mg
  • Best everyday pick: the Classic Roast Beef, with 360 calories, 23 grams of protein and 970 mg of sodium. Only the regional Arby’s Melt has less sodium among the sandwiches.
  • Most protein for the calories: Steak Nuggets, with 36 grams of protein in 240 calories for the 9-piece. They’re a limited-time item, so they may not be on the menu when you visit.
  • Something different: the Ham & Swiss Melt has 26 grams of protein for 380 calories.

The Arby’s Melt and Super Roast Beef are regional items, so individual locations may have slightly different menu offerings.

Where this Arby’s nutrition data comes from

Every number on this page comes from Arby’s official nutrition and allergen information for the US menu. You can see the full list on our Arby’s nutrition page.

The numbers are for each item as Arby’s makes it as standard. Sauces you add, such as Horsey Sauce (60 calories) or Arby’s Sauce (15 calories), are counted separately.

High-protein Arby’s: the most protein per calorie

If protein is your goal, this ranking matters more than calories alone. It shows grams of protein per 100 calories for every main item with at least 20 grams of protein.

Bar chart: Arby's protein per calorie. Grams of protein in every 100 calories, best first. Steak Nuggets (9) 15.0 g; Steak Nuggets (5) 14.3 g; Chicken Cheesesteak Half Pound 8.5 g; and more.
Grams of protein in every 100 calories, best first. Photo: Pastrami-Sandwich by Erika39, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Menu item Calories Protein Protein per 100 cal
Steak Nuggets (9) (limited time) 240 36 g 15.0 g
Steak Nuggets (5) (limited time) 140 20 g 14.3 g
Chicken Cheesesteak Half Pound (limited time) 1,040 88 g 8.5 g
Chicken Cheesesteak Deluxe Half Pound (limited time) 1,050 88 g 8.4 g
Half Pound Roast Beef 610 48 g 7.9 g
Chicken Cheesesteak Deluxe (limited time) 670 50 g 7.5 g
Double Roast Beef 510 38 g 7.5 g
Chicken Cheesesteak (limited time) 660 49 g 7.4 g
Spicy Chicken Cheesesteak Deluxe Half Pound (limited time) 1,260 89 g 7.1 g
Spicy Chicken Cheesesteak Half Pound (limited time) 1,250 88 g 7.0 g

Outside the limited-time Steak Nuggets, the Double Roast Beef (38 grams of protein, 510 calories) and the Half Pound Roast Beef (48 grams, 610 calories) give the most protein for the calories. Plain roast beef is lean, so stacking more of it adds protein faster than it adds fat.

The Chicken Cheesesteaks rank high on protein, but check the next section before you order the half-pound size.

Arby’s items to skip if you’re eating light

These Arby’s items have the most calories. Each one also carries far more sodium and saturated fat than most people should eat in one meal.

Bar chart: Arby's saltiest items. Sodium in one item. The dashed line is a whole day's limit. Spicy Angus Cheesesteak Half Pound 3,950 mg; Spicy Chicken Cheesesteak Deluxe Half Pound 3,810 mg; Spicy Chicken Cheesesteak Half Pound 3,800 mg; and more.
Sodium in one item. The dashed line is a whole day’s limit. Photo: Pastrami-Sandwich by Erika39, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Menu item Calories Sat. fat Sodium
Spicy Angus Cheesesteak Half Pound 1,320 39 g 3,950 mg
Spicy Chicken Cheesesteak Deluxe Half Pound (limited time) 1,260 32 g 3,810 mg
Spicy Chicken Cheesesteak Half Pound (limited time) 1,250 32 g 3,800 mg
Angus Cheesesteak Half Pound 1,110 31 g 3,720 mg
Chicken Cheesesteak Deluxe Half Pound (limited time) 1,050 25 g 3,580 mg
Chicken Cheesesteak Half Pound (limited time) 1,040 25 g 3,570 mg

The Spicy Angus Cheesesteak Half Pound has 1,320 calories, 39 grams of saturated fat and 3,950 mg of sodium. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest staying under 2,300 mg of sodium a day and keeping saturated fat to about 22 grams on a 2,000-calorie diet. This one sandwich goes past both limits for the entire day.

Arby’s sliders: the lightest way to eat

Arby’s sliders are the smallest sandwiches on the menu, at 170 to 260 calories each, with about 10 to 11 grams of protein.

Slider Calories Protein Sodium
Ham Slider 170 11 g 600 mg
Roast Beef Slider 180 11 g 520 mg
Chicken Slider 230 11 g 620 mg
Buffalo Chicken Slider 260 10 g 910 mg

Tip: two Roast Beef Sliders come to 360 calories and 22 grams of protein. That’s about the same as a Classic Roast Beef, so pick whichever you like better.

Lighter Arby’s sides

The side can double a meal’s calories, so size matters more than which side you pick. A small order of fries is 250 calories. An XL order is 600 to 630.

Side Calories Fat Sodium
Curly Fries (small) 250 13 g 570 mg
Crinkle Fries (small) 250 12 g 300 mg
Jalapeno Bites (5) 290 17 g 660 mg
Potato Cakes (3) 370 21 g 650 mg
Crinkle Fries (medium) 390 19 g 460 mg
Curly Fries (medium) 410 22 g 940 mg
Mozzarella Sticks (4) 440 23 g 1,410 mg
Jalapeno Bites (8) 470 27 g 1,060 mg
White Cheddar Mac ‘n Cheese 470 27 g 1,310 mg
Potato Cakes (4) 490 28 g 860 mg
Crinkle Fries (large) 530 26 g 630 mg
Curly Fries (large) 550 29 g 1,250 mg
Curly Fries (xl) 600 32 g 1,360 mg
Potato Cakes (5) 620 35 g 1,080 mg
Crinkle Fries (xl) 630 31 g 750 mg
Mozzarella Sticks (6) 650 35 g 2,110 mg

Small Crinkle Fries have the same 250 calories as small Curly Fries but about half the sodium (300 mg against 570 mg). A Classic Roast Beef with small Crinkle Fries comes to 610 calories, a reasonable fast-food lunch.

Healthiest Arby’s breakfast options

Arby’s breakfast is served at participating locations only. These breakfast items have at least 13 grams of protein, sorted by calories.

Breakfast item Calories Protein Sat. fat Sodium
Bacon & Cheese Croissant 330 14 g 10 g 740 mg
Ham Biscuit 340 13 g 9 g 1,420 mg
Ham & Swiss Croissant 340 17 g 10 g 910 mg
Chicken Biscuit 390 13 g 9 g 1,330 mg
Ham, Egg & Cheese Wrap 400 20 g 8 g 1,390 mg
Bacon, Egg & Cheese Wrap 410 18 g 9 g 1,330 mg
Ham, Egg & Cheese Croissant 410 21 g 11 g 1,040 mg
Bacon, Egg & Cheese Croissant 430 18 g 13 g 1,010 mg

The Ham & Swiss Croissant (340 calories, 17 grams of protein) and the Ham, Egg & Cheese Wrap (400 calories, 20 grams) are the best balance. If you want more protein, the Ham, Egg & Cheese Sourdough has 26 grams for 460 calories. Watch the saturated fat: most croissants and biscuits have 9 grams or more, and the sausage versions reach 19 to 20 grams. The Ham, Egg & Cheese Sourdough has just 5 grams.

Does Arby’s publish allergen information?

Yes. Arby’s publishes nutrition, allergen and ingredient information for its US menu, including which items are cooked in the same fryer oil as items containing major allergens.

Many fried items, including fries, are cooked in shared oil, so cross-contact is possible. If you have a food allergy, read Arby’s allergen guide for the exact item and tell the staff when you order. We don’t label any item allergen-free or gluten-free.

How to order healthier at Arby’s

  • Use the Arby’s app or arbys.com to see calories, customize your order and find app-only deals.
  • Skip the combo upgrade. Go with a small side, or none, and water or a zero-calorie drink instead of a regular soda.
  • Ask for sauce on the side so you control how much goes on.
  • Drive-thru, dine-in or delivery: Arby’s is on delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats in many areas, but menu prices there are often higher.
  • Compare before you go: our calorie finder shows low-calorie picks across chains, and the healthy eating hub has more guides.

Healthiest Arby’s: frequently asked questions

What is the healthiest thing to eat at Arby’s?

The Classic Roast Beef is the healthiest everyday choice, with 360 calories, 23 grams of protein and 970 mg of sodium. The Ham & Swiss Melt is close behind, at 380 calories.

What is the lowest-calorie sandwich at Arby’s?

The Ham Slider, at 170 calories. Among full-size sandwiches, the regional Arby’s Melt (330 calories) and the Classic Roast Beef (360 calories) are the lightest.

What has the most protein at Arby’s?

The half-pound Chicken Cheesesteaks have 88 to 89 grams of protein, but over 1,000 calories. The Half Pound Roast Beef gives 48 grams in just 610 calories.

Are Arby’s Steak Nuggets healthy?

By the numbers, they’re one of the leanest proteins on the menu: 36 grams of protein for 240 calories in a 9-piece. They’re a limited-time item, so check your local menu.

Which is healthier at Arby’s, curly fries or crinkle fries?

They have similar calories, but Crinkle Fries have much less sodium. A small order has 300 mg of sodium against 570 mg for small Curly Fries.

Where does this Arby’s nutrition data come from?

From Arby’s official US nutrition and allergen information. We update our Arby’s pages when Arby’s releases new numbers, and the date at the top shows the last update.

The bottom line

The healthiest Arby’s orders in 2026 are the simple ones: a Classic Roast Beef, a Ham & Swiss Melt or two sliders, with small Crinkle Fries or no side. For more protein, go for the Double Roast Beef. Check the full Arby’s menu before you order.

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