Compared to other fast-food favorites, sandwiches generally don't do as much harm—or they don't have to. If you're choosing between pizza, fries, and a sandwich, for example, the latter is probably easiest to customize into something more nutritious.
But the lesser of evils option doesn't always hold up as a healthy one on its own. As registered dietitian Amy Goodson explains, creamy sauces, heaping piles of processed meat, and hefty bread slices can quickly take a sandwich into dangerously high calorie and fat territory.
She also points out the super-size nature of many fast-food sandwiches as problematic, especially when they come with bells and whistles on the side like soda, chips, fries, and cookies. Indeed, there are many ways for a fast-food sandwich meal to turn unhealthy.
But Goodson also points out that modifying your sandwich is always a good, healthful strategy. She recommends considering "skinny" options, which use less bread, and going 'easy' or 'light' on the sauces and spreads like mayonnaise to cut down some calories and fat on your sandwich of choice. If all else fails, get the sauce on the side and add it yourself, sparingly.
After getting this general insight from Goodson, we consulted her on specific sandwiches on the market to stay away from.
Arby's Half Pound Beef 'n Cheddar
Arby's is a beloved fast-food option for sure, with new offerings added to the menu often. But if you're thinking about ordering this bad boy, which features a half-pound of roast beef on an onion bun, topped with a cheddar cheese sauce and red ranch, maybe think again.
Goodson acknowledges that there is less bread here, which cuts down the calories a bit. But, she says, "a half-pound of beef is more than most people should have per serving," and it will load your sandwich up with additional calories and sodium. And let's not forget the ranch, the thick, creamy sauce that makes everything delicious—it also adds more calories and fat to this sandwich.
Instead, Goodson suggests opting for Arby's Classic Roast Beef Sandwich, which will still satisfy your roast beef cravings but won't overload you with processed meat.
Subway's Steak "Cali Fresh" Footlong on Italian Herbs & Cheese Bread
Unlike Arby's, Subway has not had a wonderful few years. The brand is constantly updating its menu and striving for any type of good PR. Unfortunately, their new Cali Fresh sub and its sodium content isn't going to help in that department.
The footlong sandwich features steak, bacon, smashed avocado, and mozzarella, plus a choice of veggies. According to Goodson, it's the sheer size of it that is really the issue.
"There are some delicious, healthy-ish toppings here like steak, mozzarella, and avocado," she says, "but they all turn into calorie overload when you eat more than the serving size. Not to mention, the bacon definitely increases the saturated fat and sodium content on top of that."
If you find yourself at Subway and want to eat healthy, she recommends the 6-inch Veggie Delite on hearty multigrain bread with oil and vinegar, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, and red onions.
Potbelly's Big Mama's Meatball Sandwich on White Bread
Consider the name of the sandwich, and it's clear you're in for an indulgent feast of comfort food with meatballs, provolone cheese, and marinara sauce. But when you opt for the big size and get this sandwich on white bread, it becomes one of the healthiest subs out there.
"The reality is meatballs are pretty caloric as they are often not made with the leanest ground beef or pork," says Goodson. "And the marinara sauce is likely the ingredient pushing up the sodium content on this sandwich."
While everyone loves a meatball sub, if you're aiming to be healthy, she recommends going for white meat and reasonable portion sizes. At Potbelly, that could be the original size of the Turkey Breast and Swiss on Multigrain Bread. Plus, she adds, you can (and should!) load it with all your favorite veggies!
Quiznos's 12-inch Classic Italian on White Bread
Quiznos' 12-inch Classic Italian rings in at number four on the unhealthiest fast-food sandwich list. This item is made with four different meats including pepperoni, salami, spicy capicola, and smoked ham, which translates to plenty of flavor—and plenty of fat and sodium as well.
"While there are some lighter toppings here, like melted provolone, black olives, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, banana peppers, and red wine vinaigrette, the size of this sandwich and the amount of meat takes it through the roof with calories, fat, and sodium," Goodson says.
She recommends opting for the 4-inch Spicy Monterey sandwich on Wheat Bread, which will save you calories (it's a fraction of the calorie count), while also cutting sodium and fat content way down.
Firehouse Subs' Large Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket on White Bread
The sodium count on this sub is out of control. At more than double the recommended sodium level for an entire day in just one sandwich, the Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket, which additionally comes layered with mayo and BBQ sauce, should be avoided at all costs if you value your cardiovascular health.
As Goodson explains, "While you can eat lean beef and cheese as a part of a healthy diet, the large size of this sandwich means more meat and more cheese, thus increasing the amount of calories and fat. Tack on some mayo and BBQ sauce and those numbers go through the roof."
Instead, she suggests, go for the Medium Turkey Sub on Wheat Bread next time you're at Firehouse Subs. This sandwich rings in at about a third of the calories and fat and less than half the sodium.
Jersey Mike's Giant Club Sub on White Bread
This Club Sub is a bit of a classic American throwback, loaded with ham, turkey, bacon, provolone cheese, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, oil, vinegar, salt, and mayonnaise. However, looking at the calories and fat and sodium content, all we can say is that there has to be a better way to enjoy this popular favorite.
"While none of these ingredients are terrible on their own, things like bacon, oil, and mayonnaise combined together really pack a calorific punch," says Goodson. The size of this sandwich is an additional issue.
Instead of indulging in a 2000-plus calorie sandwich, Goodson recommends Jersey Mike's regular-sized Grilled Portabella Mushroom and Swiss on Wheat Bread.
Jimmy John's The J.J. Gargantuan on French Bread
Just look at this thing! The sheer size and moniker of this Jimmy John's sandwich should tip you off about why it took the spot of the #1 unhealthiest sandwich on our list.
Consider what goes into this Gargantuan sandwich: five different meats including salami, capocollo, turkey, roast beef, and ham. There's no scenario in which that amount of meat does not translate to a sodium bomb—and, looking at the sodium content of this one is enough to make your heart stop. The Gargantuan is then topped with provolone cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, oil, and vinegar with oregano and basil seasoning.
"The mayonnaise and oil combo really tack on extra fat and calories," Goodson says. "This sandwich has over three times the recommended about of sodium per day, so it's definitely one to avoid."
But never fear, JJ's has a great healthy option as well. The 8-inch Slim 4 comes on wheat bread, and the only two set ingredients are turkey and bread. From there, load up this sandwich with all your favorite veggies, and you've got yourself a much healthier option.
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