Keeping clients on track with healthy eating can be incredibly challenging, but it helps if you can "get inside the head" of the client and understand the triggers behind unhealthy snacking.
If you can understand the trigger, it's possible to offer the client a strategy or a mindset that might help them overcome unhealthy habits and adhere to healthier eating. Remember that small changes add up over time and snacking in between meals is often a stack of calories added to the daily intake.
A recent study identified the top six reasons for unhealthy snacking:
1. To enjoy a special occasion - Let's celebrate by eating a massive meal and a bottle of wine!
2. Opportunity induced eating - Someone puts a plate full of donuts in front of you at morning tea.
3. To gain energy - I feel flat, somebody give me a candy bar!
4. To reward oneself - I've eaten healthy all week, let's celebrate at KFC!
5. Because of social pressure - It's a BBQ, everyone else is drinking beer so perhaps I should have a few.
6. To cope with negative emotions - I'm feeling a bit down, a family size bar of chocolate will make me feel better.
As a personal trainer, being able to offer clients different ways to deal with each of the above situations will help them avoid the trap of unhealthy snacking.
Graphic sourced from www.suppversity.com.
Reference:
Verhoeven, Aukje AC, et al. "It's my party and I eat if I want to. Reasons for unhealthy snacking." Appetite (2014).
