Too much salt: Pre-packaged kids' snacks linked to diabetes and obesity

CLEVELAND - When it comes to packaged toddler meals and snacks, parents might want to think twice before handing them over to their children.

While these ready-to-eat snacks and food might be more convenient, studies show that more than 70 percent of these pre-packaged toddler foods contain too much salt.

The packaged foods that were researched ranged from macaroni and cheese, chicken, pizza, cereal bars, fruit snacks, dairy products, and juices, all of which are targeted towards children ages one and up.

High blood pressure used to be a condition that only threatened adults. But now research shows that one out of every 20 children suffer from high blood pressure, which is ultimately tied to obesity. One out of 10 U.S. deaths is blamed on salt.

The American Heart Association says children shouldn’t consume more than 1,500 mg of sodium every day. However, some of the kid snacks analyzed contain 630 mg in only one serving.