Is There Too Much Sodium in Arby’s Fish Sandwich?

Arby’s crispy fish sandwich is a popular menu item, but is the sodium content too high? With nearly 1000mg of sodium per sandwich, some may wonder if it fits into a healthy diet Evaluating the nutrition facts helps determine how the fish sandwich fits into recommended daily sodium limits.

How Much Sodium is Actually in The Fish Sandwich?

According to Arby’s website one crispy fish sandwich contains

• 986mg of sodium

This supplies around 41% of the daily recommended sodium intake. The American Heart Association advises no more than 2300mg of sodium a day for general health.

So in one sandwich, you are getting almost half the daily sodium limit. While not extremely high, it is a significant amount from one menu item.

Main Sources of Sodium in The Sandwich

What ingredients contribute to the total sodium content?

• Tartar sauce – May contain added sodium and salt

• Battered fish fillet – Breading and batter often contains salt

• Bread – The sesame seed bun provides wheat flour, yeast, salt and other sodium additives

The combination of the fish, sauce, and bun all bring sodium to the meal. It adds up quickly, even though no single ingredient is extremely high.

Is 986mg of Sodium Per Sandwich Too Much?

Whether the crispy fish sandwich sodium is too high depends on your individual dietary needs.

For most healthy adults, a meal under 1000mg of sodium is not considered excessive. But for some groups the sandwich provides too much:

• Those limiting sodium tightly under 1500mg daily

• Anyone with high blood pressure or heart health issues

• Older adults more sensitive to salt intake

• People following low sodium diets for medical needs

If you fall into these categories, the sandwich may spike sodium higher than desired. About 40% of US adults should follow a low sodium diet of 1500mg or less per day.

Strategies to Limit Sodium from The Fish Sandwich

If you want to enjoy the sandwich but reduce sodium, here are some tips:

• Order a kids size sandwich with less food and sodium

• Skip the tatar sauce which likely adds salt

• Ask for unsalted fries and drink without sodium

• Split the sandwich and eat only half the serving

• Add extra veggies like lettuce and tomato to help balance

• Opt for grilled chicken or roast beef sandwich with less sodium

Being mindful of sides and customizing the meal can lower overall sodium from the fish sandwich.

How The Sodium Compares to Other Sandwiches

Compared to other sandwiches, Arby’s fish has lower sodium than many options. For example:

• Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich – 1410mg sodium
• Wendy’s chicken sandwich – 1030mg
• McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish – 1040mg
• Subway 6-inch roast beef – 960mg

Among major chains, Arby’s fish sandwich is on the lower side for sodium content. The preparation style impacts levels more than simply being a fish sandwich.

Daily Nutrient Recommendations for Sodium

To determine if the fish sandwich fits your diet, it helps to know the sodium recommendations:

• 1500mg or less per day for high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease

• 2000mg or less for general health

• 2300mg upper limit for adults

• 1500mg or less for those over 50 years old

• 1000-2000mg for children depending on age

As you can see, advice varies based on individual factors. The 986mg of sodium in one Arby’s sandwich may be reasonable as part of a 2000-2300mg daily diet. But too high for those limiting to 1500mg sodium or less.

Nutritional Pros and Cons of The Fish Sandwich

Aside from sodium, here is how the fish sandwich nutrition adds up:

Pros:

• 25g protein
• Vitamin D
• Calcium
• Iron
• Low sugar at 9g

Cons:

• 25g fat, 4g saturated fat
• 65g carbs
• 986mg sodium
• Low fiber at 3g

While not the worst choice, not exactly the model of balanced nutrition. The protein and vitamin content is beneficial, but the tradeoff is the high sodium, carbs, and fat that come with a fried and battered sandwich.

Healthier Options to Reduce Sodium

If the crispy fish sandwich is too high in sodium for your needs, Arby’s does offer lower sodium alternatives:

• Roast turkey sandwich – 610mg sodium

• Ham sandwich – 790mg sodium

• Chicken salad sandwich – 580mg sodium

• Greek gyro – 620mg sodium

Choosing grilled chicken, roast beef, turkey, or ham will net you a sandwich with 200-400mg less sodium than the fish.

You can also create a salad with chicken or roast beef that contains just 60-150mg sodium without dressing.

Should You Eat The Fish Sandwich if Limiting Sodium?

While not crazy high in sodium, the Arby’s fish sandwich provides nearly half the recommended daily limit. For healthy adults, consuming it in moderation as part of a 2000-2300mg sodium diet is likely fine.

But those following low sodium diets under 1500mg per day may want to limit the sandwich or make modifications. Check the nutrition facts and evaluate your individual sodium needs.

Though tasty, the crispy fried fish sandwich is one of the higher sodium options at Arby’s. Being mindful of your total daily sodium intake provides perspective on how often you can healthfully enjoy this sandwich.