ACE Health Coach Certification Practice Test

What is the best approach to help a client struggling with after-dinner snacking?

1. Avoid the kitchen after dinner to resist the urge

2. Track the factors leading to and following snacking

3. Record the types of foods preferred for snacking

4. Eat more calories at dinner to feel full

The correct answer is: Track the factors leading to and following snacking

The best approach to help a client struggling with after-dinner snacking is to track the factors leading to and following snacking. This method allows the client to gain insight into the triggers, emotions, and circumstances surrounding their snacking behavior. By identifying patterns, the client can understand the various influences that contribute to their tendency to snack after dinner, whether those are environmental cues, emotional responses, or social situations. Tracking these factors can also enable the health coach to guide the client in developing targeted strategies to address specific triggers. For instance, if the client realizes that they tend to snack when they watch television after dinner, the coach might suggest alternative activities or coping mechanisms that do not involve food. This personalized approach is often more effective than simply suggesting they avoid the kitchen or alter their dinner habits, as it fosters self-awareness and behavioral change based on the individual’s experiences and environment. In contrast, simply avoiding the kitchen might only provide a temporary solution without addressing the root causes of the snacking behavior. Recording the types of foods preferred for snacking may add some insight, but without understanding the context around the snacking, it may not lead to a sustainable change. Eating more calories at dinner might seem logical, but it could lead to other issues such