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Best Low-Calorie Arby's Orders in 2026

The best low-calorie Arby's orders in 2026, from the Classic Roast Beef to sliders and Steak Nuggets, with official calories, protein and sodium.

Reviewed by Menu Scan Editorial TeamLast reviewed 7 min read

The short answer

The best low-calorie order at Arby's in 2026 is a Classic Roast Beef with a Diet Coke: 360 calories and 23 grams of protein, based on Arby's October 2026 nutrition guide. While the limited-time Steak Nuggets last, a Roast Beef Slider with 5 Steak Nuggets is about 320 calories and 31 grams of protein. Skip the shakes, the half-pound cheesesteaks and the large curly fries.

Arby's is easier to order light than its curly fries suggest. The roast beef is lean, the sliders are under 200 calories, and the regular Classic Roast Beef is 360 calories with 23 grams of protein. That's a full sandwich for less than a large order of curly fries (550 calories).

The calories pile up in the cheesesteaks, crafted sandwiches and shakes. A Half Pound Spicy Angus Cheesesteak is 1,320 calories, and a large Jamocha Shake is 980. Here's what to order instead, using the numbers in Arby's nutrition and allergen guide (effective October 2026).

What are the lowest calorie items at Arby's?#

The lowest calorie main items at Arby's are the limited-time 5-piece Steak Nuggets (140 calories), the kids menu 2-piece Chicken Tenders (160) and the Ham and Roast Beef Sliders (170 and 180). The Classic Roast Beef is the lightest full-size sandwich on the national lunch menu at 360 calories. The lightest side is Tree Top Applesauce from the kids menu, at 45 calories. From Arby's nutrition guide:

Item Calories Protein Sodium
Steak Nuggets (5)* 140 20 g 440 mg
Chicken Tenders (2), kids menu 160 13 g 420 mg
Ham Slider 170 11 g 600 mg
Roast Beef Slider 180 11 g 520 mg
Chicken Slider 230 11 g 620 mg
Steak Nuggets (9)* 240 36 g 780 mg
Curly Fries, small 250 3 g 570 mg
Classic Roast Beef 360 23 g 970 mg
Chicken Tenders (3) 370 23 g 1,190 mg
Ham & Swiss Melt 380 26 g 1,370 mg
Honey Mustard Chicken Wrap 380 15 g 990 mg
Ranch Chicken Wrap 400 16 g 1,000 mg
Classic Beef 'n Cheddar 450 23 g 1,280 mg

*Listed under limited-time offers in Arby's nutrition guide. Nutrition from Arby's Nutrition & Allergen Information (U.S.), effective October 2026. Dipping sauces are extra. Not every item is at every Arby's; check the app before ordering.

What is the best low-calorie meal at Arby's?#

The best low-calorie meal at Arby's is a Classic Roast Beef or a slider with a protein side instead of fries. These orders are added up from Arby's published item values:

Order Calories Protein
Classic Roast Beef + Diet Coke 360 23 g
Roast Beef Slider + 5 Steak Nuggets* 320 31 g
Classic Roast Beef + 5 Steak Nuggets* 500 43 g
2 Roast Beef Sliders 360 22 g
Ham & Swiss Melt + unsweetened tea 380 26 g
3 Chicken Tenders + Buffalo Dipping Sauce 380 23 g

The Roast Beef Slider with 5 Steak Nuggets is the best pick while the nuggets are on the menu: 31 grams of protein for about 320 calories and 960 mg of sodium. Once they're gone, the Classic Roast Beef is the go-to. Compare either with a Classic Roast Beef and medium curly fries: 770 calories and 28 grams of protein.

Protein helps when you're eating less. Higher-protein diets help preserve lean muscle and keep you fuller during weight loss, according to a review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. For more protein at Arby's, see our best high-protein Arby's orders.

Is the Arby's Classic Roast Beef healthy?#

The Classic Roast Beef is one of the better choices at Arby's if you're watching calories: 360 calories, 23 grams of protein, 14 grams of fat and 37 grams of carbs. Its 970 mg of sodium is the main drawback, about 42% of the FDA's 2,300 mg daily value.

Sizing up adds calories fast. The Double Roast Beef is 510 calories and the Half Pound Roast Beef is 610. Cheese costs more: a Classic Beef 'n Cheddar is 450 calories for the same 23 grams of protein, 90 more calories than the Classic Roast Beef.

How many calories are in Arby's sauces?#

Arby's Sauce is the lightest sandwich sauce at 15 calories a packet, while Horsey Sauce is 60. For tenders, Buffalo Dipping Sauce is only 10 calories, but it adds 720 mg of sodium. The creamy sauces cost more:

  • Arby's Sauce: 15 calories.
  • Buffalo Dipping Sauce: 10 calories.
  • Horsey Sauce: 60 calories.
  • BBQ Dipping Sauce: 70 calories.
  • Ranch Dipping Sauce: 100 calories.
  • Horsey Ranch Dipping Sauce: 120 calories (limited time).
  • Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce: 130 calories.

What is the lowest calorie breakfast at Arby's?#

The lowest calorie breakfast sandwich at Arby's is the Bacon & Cheese Croissant, at 330 calories and 14 grams of protein. The Ham & Swiss Croissant is the better pick for protein, with 17 grams for 340 calories. The Ham, Egg & Cheese Wrap has 20 grams for 400 calories.

Skip the Double Sausage Gravy Biscuit (960 calories) and French Toast Sticks (590 calories, 36 grams of sugar). Arby's notes that breakfast items may not be available at every location.

What should you skip at Arby's when you're trying to lose weight?#

Skip the half-pound cheesesteaks, the shakes and the bigger fries. They add the most calories on the menu:

  1. Spicy Angus Cheesesteak Half Pound: 1,320 calories and 3,950 mg of sodium.
  2. Large Jamocha Shake: 980 calories and 136 grams of sugar.
  3. Double Sausage Gravy Biscuit: 960 calories and 3,490 mg of sodium.
  4. Turkey Ranch & Bacon Sandwich: 800 calories.
  5. Greek Gyro: 700 calories, with 44 grams of fat.

If you want fries, a small curly fries is 250 calories versus 550 for a large. Drinks are the easiest swap: a medium Coca-Cola is 180 calories, while Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and unsweetened brewed tea are 0.

Is Arby's good for weight loss?#

Arby's can work for weight loss if you stick to the roast beef, sliders and Steak Nuggets and skip the fries and shakes. A Classic Roast Beef with a diet drink is 360 calories, light enough for most calorie budgets. Our list of the best low-calorie fast food meals compares the lightest orders across chains, and our guide to eating out on a calorie deficit has more ways to keep restaurant meals in budget.

The FDA notes that food prepared away from home generally provides more calories, sodium and saturated fat than meals eaten at home, which is why the swaps above matter.

At a local sandwich shop without posted nutrition, Menu Scan AI can help. Snap the menu with your iPhone and it estimates calories, protein, carbs and fat for each dish from the menu descriptions, then labels the best matches for a weight-loss goal. Treat the results as estimates, not lab values. The app is free to download; its listing says an annual subscription is required for full access, including menu scanning and AI nutrition analysis.

Frequently asked questions#

What is the lowest calorie sandwich at Arby's?#

The Ham Slider is the lowest calorie sandwich at Arby's, at 170 calories, followed by the Roast Beef Slider at 180. The Classic Roast Beef is the lightest full-size sandwich on the national lunch menu, at 360 calories.

How many calories are in an Arby's Classic Roast Beef?#

A Classic Roast Beef has 360 calories, 23 grams of protein and 970 mg of sodium, according to Arby's October 2026 nutrition guide. Arby's Sauce adds 15 calories.

How many calories are in Arby's Steak Nuggets?#

The 5-piece Steak Nuggets have 140 calories and 20 grams of protein, and the 9-piece have 240 calories and 36 grams. Arby's lists them as a limited-time offer.

How many calories are in Arby's curly fries?#

A small curly fries has 250 calories, a medium 410, a large 550 and an extra-large 600. Small crinkle fries are also 250 calories.

What is the healthiest thing to order at Arby's?#

A Roast Beef Slider with 5 Steak Nuggets is a strong pick while the nuggets are available: about 320 calories, 31 grams of protein and 960 mg of sodium. Without the nuggets, a Classic Roast Beef has 360 calories and 23 grams of protein.

Sources#

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