IAHC Nutrition and Lifestyle 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client asks about the glycemic index (GI). As an IAHC coach, you would explain that foods with a high GI do what?
- Release glucose slowly into the bloodstream
- Cause rapid spikes in blood sugar (Correct answer)
- Contain more fiber than low-GI foods
- Suppress appetite more effectively
Correct answer: Cause rapid spikes in blood sugar
High-GI foods are rapidly digested and cause quick spikes in blood glucose, which can lead to energy crashes and increased hunger.
Question 2: Which physical activity guideline does IAHC align with for healthy US adults seeking general health maintenance?
- 30 minutes of vigorous activity daily
- 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week (Correct answer)
- 60 minutes of light walking per week
- 2 hours of strength training per week only
Correct answer: 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week
IAHC aligns with the US Physical Activity Guidelines recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly for general health.
Question 3: When addressing hydration with clients, IAHC coaches note that a common early sign of mild dehydration is:
- Muscle cramping
- Thirst
- Dark yellow urine (Correct answer)
- Headache
Correct answer: Dark yellow urine
Dark yellow or amber urine is a reliable early indicator of dehydration and an easy self-monitoring tool coaches can teach clients.
Question 4: An IAHC coach introduces 'mindful eating' to a client. The core practice involves:
- Eating only organic foods
- Paying full attention to hunger, taste, and satiety cues during meals (Correct answer)
- Counting bites per meal
- Avoiding all distractions by eating in silence permanently
Correct answer: Paying full attention to hunger, taste, and satiety cues during meals
Mindful eating focuses on present-moment awareness of hunger and fullness signals, sensory experiences of food, and emotional triggers without judgment.
Question 5: In the context of IAHC nutrition coaching, which fatty acid type is associated with reducing cardiovascular inflammation?
- Trans fats
- Saturated fats
- Omega-3 fatty acids (Correct answer)
- Omega-6 fatty acids
Correct answer: Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish, flaxseed, and walnuts, have well-documented anti-inflammatory effects that support cardiovascular health.
Question 6: A client wants to quit smoking as part of a lifestyle overhaul. IAHC coaching ethics require the coach to:
- Prescribe nicotine replacement therapy
- Provide cessation coaching support and refer to licensed medical professionals for pharmacological help (Correct answer)
- Guarantee a smoke-free outcome within 90 days
- Diagnose nicotine dependence severity
Correct answer: Provide cessation coaching support and refer to licensed medical professionals for pharmacological help
IAHC coaches support behavior change within their scope and must refer clients to medical professionals for clinical interventions like pharmacotherapy.
IAHC Nutrition and Lifestyle 2
A client asks about the glycemic index (GI).
As an IAHC coach, you would explain that foods with a high GI do what?