How Many Calories Are in an Arby’s Fish Sandwich? A Closer Look

Arby’s has added some tasty new fish sandwiches to their menu just in time for Lent. But are these crispy fish fillets a relatively healthy option or diet disaster? Let’s break down the nutrition facts and calories to see how they stack up

Why Arby’s Fish Sandwiches?

Fast food fish sandwiches can make a convenient meal during Lent when many observant Catholics abstain from eating meat on Fridays. Arby’s is promoting their new wild-caught Alaskan pollock fish sandwiches as a tasty meatless option.

The two varieties currently being advertised are the regular Crispy Fish Sandwich and the zestier Nashville Hot Fish Sandwich. They’re affordably priced at 2 for $5, making them an enticing deal.

But are these breaded and fried fish sandwiches a smart choice if you’re watching your calories and nutrition? Let’s dig into the numbers.

Arby’s Crispy Fish Sandwich Calories and Nutrition

The basic Crispy Fish Sandwich contains the following nutrition per serving:

• Calories: 570
• Total Fat: 25g
• Carbs: 65g
• Protein: 20g

The majority of calories come from fat (40%) and carbohydrates (46%).

Let’s compare that to a classic Roast Beef Slider with 360 calories and 21g fat, The fish sandwich packs over 200 extra calories and 4 more grams of fat,

The Crispy Fish Sandwich is fried rather than grilled or baked. That adds additional calories from the oil, breading, and thick bun needed to hold it all together.

It’s not exactly health food, but as an occasional splurge the sandwich can fit into your diet. Opting for fewer toppings and smaller sides will help cut the calorie count.

Nashville Hot Fish Sandwich Nutrition Info

The spicy Nashville Hot Fish variant has slightly lower stats:

• Calories: 540
• Total Fat: 23g
• Carbs: 63g
• Protein: 20g

The Nashville Hot seasoning gives this sandwich more flavor without ramping up calories compared to the original.

However, it still clocks in with nearly 200 extra calories versus Arby’s roast beef and ham sandwiches.

Why Are the Calories So High?

What makes the fish sandwiches higher in calories than other Arby’s options? Here are the main factors:

Fried Fish Fillets

The crispy coated Alaskan pollock adds calories versus grilled chicken or roast beef. The wild-caught fish is battered and fried rather than baked or broiled. The breading and frying process ramps up the calorie counts.

Big Bun

The oversized sesame seed bun also piles on extra carbs and calories. A typical Arby’s sandwich uses a smaller plain bun.

Tartar Sauce

The creamy tartar sauce slathered on provides a hefty dose of added fat and calories. Ask for light sauce or get it on the side to control portions.

No Produce

Many Arby’s sandwiches include veggies like tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. The fish versions are topped only with lettuce, keeping nutritional value lower.

Healthier Preparation Tips

You can tweak a few details to make your fish sandwich healthier:

• Ask for light tartar sauce or get it on the side
• Add extra lettuce, tomato, and onion for crunch
• Opt for a smaller sandwich or kids meal portion
• Pair it with a side salad rather than fries or potato cakes
• Split one sandwich between two people

While not the most nutritious menu choice, enjoyed occasionally the sandwiches can be part of a balanced diet.

How Do Homemade Fish Sandwiches Compare?

Rather than grabbing fast food, another option is making baked or air fried fish sandwiches at home. This allows you to control ingredients and portions.

Here’s how homemade versions compare:

Arby’s Crispy Fish Sandwich:

• 570 calories
• 25g fat
• 65g carbs

Homemade Baked Cod Sandwich:

• 340 calories
• 8g fat
• 34g carbs

You can enjoy a satisfying fish sandwich with far fewer calories by bakingrather than frying. Choosing whole grain bread and lighter toppings also cuts carbs, fat, and calories versus fast food options.

The Bottom Line on Arby’s Fish Sandwiches

Arby’s new crispy fish sandwiches provide a convenient meatless meal for Lent. However, the nutrition numbers are higher than many other menu choices.

The combination of fried fish, large bun, and creamy tartar sauce drives up the calorie counts. A single Arby’s fish sandwich provides over 500 calories and at least 23 grams of fat.

Enjoyed occasionally and paired with lighter sides, they can fit into an overall balanced diet. But from a nutrition standpoint, it’s better to consume fried fish sandwiches in moderation.

Making lighter baked versions at home gives you more control over calories and ingredients. But for a quick meatless meal on the go, Arby’s fish sandwiches fill the bill during Lent. Just be mindful of the higher calorie counts compared to other sandwich options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about Arby’s fish sandwich nutrition info? Here are answers to some common queries:

How many calories in an Arby’s fish sandwich compared to McDonald’s?

• Arby’s Crispy Fish: 570 calories
• McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish: 380 calories

McDonald’s sandwich has around 200 fewer calories. The baked fish patty and smaller bun contribute to lower counts.

Is Arby’s fish sandwich healthy?

With 25g of fat and 65g carbs, it’s not the most nutritious choice. But enjoyed in moderation, it can be part of an overall balanced diet. Choose smaller sizes and lighter sides to help offset the calories.

Which has fewer calories – Arby’s fish sandwich or burger?

The fish sandwiches contain more calories than most Arby’s burgers. For example:

• Crispy Fish Sandwich: 570 calories
• Roast Beef Classic: 360 calories

The exception is the 1320 calorie Meat Mountain burger!

Should I get tartar sauce on my Arby’s fish sandwich?

Tartar sauce adds a significant amount of fat and calories. Request light sauce or get it on the side to control how much you eat.

Is the Nashville Hot fish sandwich spicy?

Yes, it has a nice kick thanks to the seasoned breading. It provides flavor without being painfully hot. Have a beverage ready to tame the heat.

Does Arby’s have a grilled fish sandwich?

Not at this time – the current fish options are all breaded and fried. Grilled would be a healthier preparation method.

So if you’re craving a convenient fish sandwich during Lent, Arby’s has you covered. Just be mindful of the higher calorie counts of these fried options compared to other menu choices. Enjoy the crispy fishy goodness in moderation as part of your healthy diet.