Losing Weight on Your List? Don't Clip Coupons

by Jacki Donaldson (Subscribe to Jacki Donaldson's posts)
Jan 15th 2009 1:00PM

Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

Someone I know saves bundles of cash on groceries. Coupons are her secret.

I don't normally use coupons. Well, I did when diapers were on my list but now that my babies are big, I'm not really on the lookout for such savings. I'd use coupons, though, if they pertained to the foods I buy. But they don't. You know why? Because most coupons are for packaged, processed foods -- and that's just the stuff I try not to buy.

Ever notice how there's rarely a coupon for a head of lettuce or a bunch of bananas? But there are plenty for cake mixes, cheese-filled crackers and Lunchables? I wish it were the other way around. But it's not. Healthy foods just cost more -- financially speaking, anyway. Look at it this way, though: Nutritious foods won't cost you anything health-wise. Maybe you'll be short a few pennies in the check-out line. But you'll come out ahead in the long-run when you realize you aren't spending a fortune on diet gimmicks and doctor bills, when you're running and jumping and playing with your kids and when it hits you that without a pile of coupons, you get to live better and longer. Now that you can afford, right?

Comments (6)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jennifer 1-15-2009 @ 1:57PM

Its so funny you talk about that, because when I was watching Oprah the other day with Dr. Oz, something he said made so much sense. He said eat food with out a label! Fruits and veggies and healthy foods don't need a label, they come from the earth, so that's what you should be eating. www.slim-shoppin.com

Katheryn 1-15-2009 @ 4:03PM

I disagree a bit. I clip and use coupons. I'm careful to only clip the things we use and there are plenty of healthy coupons out there. I save at least $15 every week on healthy items we would have bought anyway.

juicer girl 1-15-2009 @ 4:10PM

I was just thinking about this. There are so many coupons out there and it is a good way to save but I don't see a lot of healthy foods.

Kristin 1-16-2009 @ 10:00AM

This is somewhat untrue. I find oatmeal coupons and many fiber one coupons almost every week. No, there aren't any fresh product coupons, but also, sometimes your local health market can print up their own coupon pamphlet. The family owned chain nearest to me does.

johnnymcheetah 1-25-2009 @ 9:20AM

There's a good point here. You can't just buy something because you have a coupon for it, but the commenters have good points. There are things that most people use and need that there are coupons for; trash bags, ziplock bags, cottage cheese (which i eat a ton of for my diet), etc. Like anything, you just have to be smart about it! Coupons aren't a get rich quick instant fix, but a tool to help if you use them wisely.

Kristi 2-11-2009 @ 1:26PM

I would have to disagree with the coupon comment. You can use coupons and still eat healthy. A smart shopper will not use coupons to buy something just because it is free or cheap that they don't or aren't willing to consume. My biggest savings with coupons is on personal hygiene items - when you get your toothpaste and shampoo free, you have extra $ to pay for fresh veggies.