Supermarket Coupons Promote Junk Food and Sugary Drinks-Study Finds

Jojy Cheriyan MD;MPH -January 29,2013

Collecting supermarket coupons and clipping them for daily shopping can harm your health. A study published in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease looked at more than 1000 coupons from six major grocery chains in America.

Researchers found that most of the coupons offered by grocery stores are for junk foods like crackers, chips, desserts and sugary drinks. Relatively few markets discount lean meats, low-fat dairy products or fresh fruits and vegetables.

Previous studies have shown that people have a tendency to buy when stores offer coupons for their products. Studies have also shown that most of the discounted products which people buy with coupons are unnecessary for their essential needs.

The major findings of the new study are-

1. Processed snack foods, such as chips, crackers and desserts, made up the largest number of coupons (25 percent). Meanwhile, 14 percent of coupons were for frozen dinners and other prepared meals; 12 percent were for beverages (half of which were for sugary juices and drinks); 11 percent were for cereals; 10 percent were for condiments, such as salad dressing and mayonnaise; and 8 percent coupons offered discounts on processed meats, such as hot dogs and bacon.

2. In contrast, only 3 percent of coupons lowered the costs of fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables, while 4 percent decreased the price of milk, eggs or yogurt. Only 1 percent trimmed the price of unprocessed meats.

Consumers should remember that grocery stores use coupons to lure customers. Stores do this by making deals with the manufacturers to promote their products and generate profit. These coupons are offered for processed foods and junks because those are the most profitable items stores sell daily.

Many low-income consumers depend on coupons to manage their tight food budgets. But offering discounts mostly for junk foods is an exploitation of the health of the consumers and their families. The only way to prevent this is by creating self-awareness and use your money wisely and judiciously for better health.

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