The high salt content of the American diet is causing tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths every year and restaurant foods are a big part of the problem.

On Monday, a major health watchdog group revealed just how much salt is in typical meals at popular chain restaurants, like Chili's, Red Lobster and Olive Garden, and it is staggering.

More than 85 percent of the meals contained a days worth of salt -- just one meal.

So to reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack, you need to eat less salt.

"This is the average amount of salt Americans consume per year. It's eight pounds. The experts say cut it down at least half way, and ideally almost two-thirds of the way down," said Michael Jacobson, Executive Director for Science in the Public Interest.

Experts say salt in restaurant meals and packaged food is probably the single most harmful food.