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2026-09-09T09:01:02

(BPT) – As costs steadily rise, navigating today’s economic landscape requires a fresh look at how households handle their daily expenses. New research from AARP reveals just how central family support has become in managing everyday essentials — almost half (41%) of all grandparents actively step in to help cover basic necessities like groceries, clothing, and other household items. This averages to $2,654 annually, which is more than the average monthly retiree Social Security benefit of $2,071.

“Navigating a new economic era doesn’t mean sacrificing life’s simple pleasures or connection with loved ones,” says Trae Bodge, lifestyle and shopping expert. “It’s about being strategic with your monthly expenses. By leveraging discounts and loyalty programs for everyday needs like groceries, dining, gas, wireless, and even travel, you can quietly save hundreds of dollars a year that can be reinvested into the things you love most.”

While the financial impact can be felt across entire family ecosystems, small, intentional adjustments to recurring expenses can create significant relief for every generation.

Leveraging Your Loyalty

Commuting, school drop-offs, and family visits can quickly rack up gas expenses, but you can leverage smart fuel loyalty programs as an effortless way to lower costs. By linking an AARP membership with Exxon Mobil Rewards+™, you’ll earn extra points on everyday fuel purchases, convenience store items and car washes. Plus, members are awarded double points on dedicated member day, which convert directly into cash savings at the pump. For a limited time, new Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app users can earn up to $10 in points. Earn $5 on your first in-app fuel purchase and $5 on your second in-app fuel purchase.

Making Your Money Travel Further

It’s not always about where you go, but who you get to travel with along the way. As travel costs continue to rise, your travel budget can quickly become derailed. Save up to 35% off base rates with Avis when you choose to Pay Now or Pay Later at the counter — giving you the perfect combination of savings and flexibility. Book by September 30, 2026, and enjoy travel flexibility that fits your plans. Use AWD #A359824 to unlock your savings.

When you plan ahead, you can save up to 20% off the Standard Rate at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts depending on how you book. Perfect for travelers looking to save on their last summer trips. Planning Labor Day travel? For a limited time, book with Choice Hotels^® and receive 15% off two or more night stays during the annual holiday weekend.

Connecting Without the Extra Cost

Staying in touch with those closest to you is essential, but high cellular bills don’t have to be. Families can find immediate relief on monthly wireless bills through Consumer Cellular, which offers AARP members two lines of unlimited talk, text, and data for just $55 per month with no contract required.

Beyond staying in touch, you shouldn’t have to stress your wallet over gathering for a family meal. When dining out, look for family-friendly restaurants that offer discounts. AARP members enjoy 15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages at participating Denny’s, making weekend breakfasts or casual dinners even more budget-friendly. Or get something to go. McAlister’s Deli offers 10% off in-store, in-app and online orders.

Premium Products Without Premium Costs

As we all know, kitchen appliances can break down or become dated and need replacement from time to time. Fortunately this doesn’t have to break the bank. AARP members save 10% or more on the full line of GE Appliances online at the GE Appliances Store, including GE^®, Profile™, Café™, Monogram^®, Haier and Hotpoint^® major appliances, as well as everyday need categories including refrigeration, laundry, cooking, clean-up, and small appliances. Plus, you also receive in-home delivery, installation, and haul-away services.

Navigating the economy is easier once you start taking full advantage of available resources. To explore all the ways you can save on everyday essentials, visit aarp.org/save.

2026-09-09T16:43:00

(BPT) – You spend a lot of time, effort and hard-earned money building a wardrobe you love. Whether you’re dressing for the workweek, heading out for a special occasion or simply trying to keep your favorite pieces looking their best, proper fabric care can make a difference. The same goes for household items and linens that require thoughtful care to maintain their quality.

These investments should maintain the quality and ensure fabrics stay looking their best for as long as possible by taking good care of them. And that doesn’t necessarily mean making more trips to the dry cleaners.

Enter the LG Styler^® Steam Closet from LG Electronics, an at-home solution designed to make everyday garment care easier. This home steam closet combines everyday convenience with premium fabric care so you can refresh, deodorize, sanitize and care for your clothing and linens with ease. Whether you’re preparing for a busy work week, refreshing your clothes after a long commute or getting ready for a special occasion, LG Styler helps to simplify your routines while delivering elevated care at the touch of a button.

Everyday Care, Made Easier

Keeping your best clothes in top condition throughout the week doesn’t have to add another chore to your routine. LG Styler takes the effort out of daily garment and household care at home. Thanks to new features on select models such as Dual TrueSteam^® technology, Dynamic MovingHanger™, multiple refresh and care cycles, built-in HandySteamer™ and EZ Fit PantsPress™, the LG Styler can handle fabric refresh, wrinkle reduction and sanitization automatically. LG Styler’s Dual Inverter HeatPump™ also helps to avoid damage while refreshing clothes and drying delicates.

The result? Clothes look and feel fresh without washing or ironing, while wrinkles and odors are reduced with minimal effort. By helping you refresh garments between washes and reduce reliance on traditional dry cleaning, LG Styler can also help extend the life of treasured pieces.

One Solution for Many Uses

Clothing isn’t the only thing that can benefit from more thoughtful care. LG Styler extends refresh and allergen-reduction capabilities to everyday items throughout the home. Its Heavy-Duty Sanitary cycle safely handles delicate items, outerwear and unwashables, while its capacity can accommodate household items like pillows, backpacks and pet gear, all with chemical-free steam care.

This means you can freshen items you can’t or don’t want to put in a washing machine, at the same time reducing allergens like pet dander or dust mites from daily life. It can also help extend the life of clothing and household essentials, keeping them fresher and in better condition.

Designed for Real Life

You don’t need a large space or complicated installation to bring the LG Styler into your home. It’s designed to fit seamlessly into modern living spaces without requiring renovations or major lifestyle changes. The LG Styler’s Plug & Go installation requires no plumbing, simply plugging into a standard wall outlet, while its slim footprint can fit easily in closets, bedrooms or laundry rooms.

LG Styler is available in multiple sizes and finishes, making it an easy-to-install solution that works in small spaces and fits busy households, with options to match any lifestyle or budget. You can also get LG ThinQ^® app connectivity, which helps you access specialty care options and lets you remotely check the unit’s cycle time for effortless care. The combination of thoughtful design, convenience and performance reflects LG’s broader commitment to reliable home appliances.

Discover how the LG Styler can make everyday garment and household care easier at LG.com and appliance reliability details at www.lg.com/us/reliable-home-appliances.

2026-09-08T23:01:00

(BPT) – A sandwich is an easy lunch you can quickly make in the morning as you help your kids get ready for a new school day. But the real beauty of a sandwich is that it’s infinitely customizable. The only limit is your child’s imagination. That’s why this back-to-school season, Nature’s Own — the nation’s No. 1 selling loaf bread brand — and Make-A-Wish are inviting families to bring a little more creativity to the daily school lunch ritual with its Sandwishes campaign.

The campaign features one-of-a-kind sandwich recipes as unique as the wish kids behind them. Whether your child prefers a fresh and savory sandwich like Olivia’s Bright Harvest Bacon Bite, a sweet treat like Eliana’s Banana Boost Super Swirl or a cheese-forward lunch like Luke’s Mediterranean Magic Melt, the digital cookbook has plenty of creative recipes to try.

The spark behind the campaign is simple yet profound: Sandwiches may use the same ingredients, but no two are the same, just like wishes. It’s the combination of ingredients like a smear of avocado, a surprising pop of berry jam or slices of crisp apple that takes an ordinary lunch and transforms it into an extraordinary meal.

A wish comes together in the same way. When you combine a child’s imagination with care, coordination and community support, what may seem like a typical request to visit a theme park, meet a celebrity or travel to a tropical location becomes a treasured memory that has a lasting impact beyond the day the wish is granted.

“When I found out my wish was being granted, I had just gotten out of a six-week stay in the hospital and PICU,” said wish kid Elizabeth, the creator of the Berries N Cream Dreamwich. “I had missed competing at cheerleading worlds and was facing a life-changing diagnosis, so having my wish granted gave me hope and something to look forward to. Being part of Make-A-Wish still reminds me of that.”

Isabella, the chef behind the Jam-Packed Joywich, was inspired by her wish to give back to the community that gave her hope.

“As I got older, I discovered a love for volunteer work and working with charities,” she said. “As I moved into high school, I found a career that would allow me to do that: corporate social responsibility. Now a junior in college, and after completing my internship with Make-A-Wish, I’m pursuing the dream of giving back so I can share the same hope I received with other kids and families.”

A slice of hope for the back-to-school season

The partnership between Nature’s Own and Make-A-Wish isn’t limited to sandwiches. The bread brand has committed $500,000 to support Make-A-Wish through 2026, helping fund life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The Sandwishes campaign builds on this financial support by giving families a simple way to be part of the mission by exploring wish kids’ recipes and learning how they can help bring more wishes to life.

“We’re grateful to Nature’s Own for helping bring our wish kids’ creativity to life in such a joyful, accessible way,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “Through the Sandwishes campaign, families can connect with the imagination behind each wish while helping Make-A-Wish deliver hope and joy to children with critical illnesses. Partnerships like this make it possible for us to reach more children and families with the life-changing power of a wish.”

To explore more delicious wish kids’ recipes that you can sample this school year and learn more about the campaign, visit NaturesOwnBread.com/Wish.

2026-09-08T13:21:00

(BPT) – No matter where you live, you can be at risk for short- or long-term power outages. Between extended heat waves, hurricane season, wildfire risk and upcoming winter storms, the aging power grid can’t always handle the many challenges Mother Nature dishes out.

For National Preparedness Month this September, learn about the range of options that are available for reliable solar power backup, whether you live in an apartment, suburban home or rural area.

What backup power generator is right for your home?

Knowing what’s available in terms of size, portability and power output can help you make the right choice, so you’re not overbuying or investing in backup power that won’t be enough for your household’s needs.

Here are some of the options available from Jackery, a global leader in home backup, innovative solar generators and green off-grid energy solutions. The Jackery Power Station that will work best for your situation depends on how much space you have, and how much power output you’ll need.

A kitchen necessity: FridgeGuard

This is a versatile option for anyone who wants to safeguard the heart of the home: your refrigerator. FridgeGuard is the world’s slimmest smart fridge backup, a design-forward solution that’s built to keep refrigerators running during power outages, which is especially valuable during a heatwave when food safety storage is at risk.

FridgeGuard’s ultra-slim design makes it easy to incorporate into almost any size apartment or home. It’s built with a wall-mountable 2.6-inch profile designed to blend seamlessly into your kitchen, and you can tailor its orientation with floor-standing, bracket-mounted or wall-mounted options to fit any layout. Set it once and you’re always ready: Just plug it in, keep it connected to your fridge, and let FridgeGuard deliver ≤10 ms UPS-level backup automatically when outages happen. With 1024Wh of capacity, FridgeGuard can run a refrigerator for up to 15 hours, recharges via AC, solar or car power, and pairs with an additional FridgeGuard for 2048Wh of capacity when more runtime is needed.

Compact energy backup: HomePower 2000 Plus v2 and HomePower 1000 v2

These units are both part of Jackery’s newly expanded home backup lineup specifically designed for remote workers, apartment dwellers and homeowners who want reliable backup power and energy independence, but in a more compact footprint.

• HomePower 1000 Plus V2 is small and compact, making it ideal for apartment dwellers or homeowners in big cities due to its compact size that doesn’t compromise on output. Its 1800W power station is built to fulfill dynamic energy needs for a wide range of everyday and professional backup power scenarios. In addition to home backup during outages, this unit is portable enough for use on outdoor work like job sites or film shoots, and electricity-equipped camping. The HomePower 1000 Plus V2’s modular architecture allows it to scale up to 11 kilowatt hours (kWh), with the addition of up to five 2 kWh expansion batteries.
• HomePower 2000 Plus V2 is great if you live in suburban areas, as it can be stored away with ease, but also has enough power to keep you going during extended blackouts, especially as it’s expandable with add-on batteries. Its 2kWh capacity backup battery is ideal for a small household to endure an outage of up to 8 hours, while the 2400W rated output (4800W peak surge) can power essential appliances like refrigerators, electric ovens and microwaves.

Larger capacity backup power: HomePower 3600 Pro Max

If your home needs larger capacity, or you live in more rural or remote locations, you may want to consider the HomePower 3600 Pro Max. While it’s still ultra-portable and ready to roll effortlessly from the kitchen to the garage as needed to power your fridge, water pump, dryer and more, one unit runs it all: power heavy-hitters like the dryer, the AC, even an EV charger at 240V, while lamps and laptops keep going at 120V, no switching required. Start at 21.5kWh, or pair two units for 43kWh when a home needs more.

The HomePower 3600 Pro Max installs via Manual Transfer Switch and automatically switches to backup power in under 10ms when the grid goes down, so the fridge, WiFi, and lights never miss a beat. It recharges multiple ways, including solar and standard AC power, and offers automatic backup protection without the noise, fumes or complexity of traditional gas generators.

Longevity across the entire Jackery lineup

In all of these Jackery backup power options, their LiFePO4 battery chemistry is engineered to retain at least 70% capacity after 6,000 full operating cycles (about a 16-year average lifespan), along with eco-friendly, off-grid recharging via solar panels or vehicle setups for long-term emergencies.

Take the first step toward reliable backup power

Ensuring that you have sufficient home backup power gives you and your family more peace of mind, no matter the season or what’s happening with the power grid. Emergency preparedness is all about having backup power just in case you need it, any time of year.

Visit Jackery.com to learn more about being prepared with your own portable power station.

2026-09-04T11:01:00

(BPT) – We tend to think of COVID-19 and flu as cold-weather problems. Flu does usually pick up in the fall and winter, but COVID-19 can circulate at any time of year, and COVID-19 infections have been increasing across the country this summer. With that in mind, now is a good time to take stock: Do you know your risk? Would you recognize the symptoms? And if you got sick, would you know who to call?

These questions are especially important for people at higher risk of serious illness. Planning ahead can save valuable time, because treatments work best when started soon after symptoms first appear.

Here are three things worth doing before respiratory illness season gets underway.

1. Know what can put you at higher risk

Age matters. So do health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses.

Older adults are more likely to develop serious complications from COVID-19 or flu, and the risk generally rises with age. Conditions that affect the heart, lungs or immune system can also make it harder to fight an infection or recover from one.

Pregnancy can also raise the risk of complications from some respiratory illnesses. Young children can be especially vulnerable to serious complications from flu.

You don’t have to sort through that risk on your own. Ask a healthcare provider what your age, medical history, pregnancy status or other circumstances mean for you before you’re sick and pressed for time.

2. If you’re at higher risk, don’t wait

The first few days after symptoms appear can make a real difference.

Antiviral treatments are available for COVID-19 and flu. For people who are eligible, they can reduce the risk of severe illness, but the window to start treatment is short.

Flu antivirals work best when started within the first two days of illness, although starting later may still help some people. Some COVID-19 treatments must begin within five days after symptoms start, while others must begin within seven days.

If you’re at higher risk and develop a fever, cough, fatigue, body aches or other symptoms, don’t wait for them to get worse. Contact a healthcare provider promptly and ask whether you should be tested and whether antiviral treatment is right for you.

3. Make a plan now, while you are well

No one wants to figure out where to get care while feeling miserable. Thinking through the first steps now can make it much easier to act quickly later.

Start with the people in your household. Who may be at greater risk? Consider keeping at-home tests on hand and know how you would quickly reach your healthcare provider, a pharmacist or another source of medical care.

This is also a good time to ask a healthcare provider which COVID-19 and flu vaccines are recommended for you. Vaccination can help protect against severe illness and complications.

If you care for an older parent, a young child or someone with an underlying health condition, bring them into the plan. A short conversation now about their risk, who to call and what to do if they become sick can prevent delays later.

Viruses don’t always follow the calendar, and they rarely arrive at a convenient time. Know your risk, know where you’ll turn for care and act quickly when symptoms begin. Those three steps can help you avoid losing valuable time when it matters most.

CVEEP brings together public health, patient and provider organizations to share practical information and resources about respiratory illness prevention and treatment.

For more information about respiratory illness risk, prevention and treatment, visit CVEEP.org/treatments.

2026-09-01T07:01:00

(BPT) – By Kourtney Johnson, RD, LD

In the United States, 28.8 million adults live with diabetes, and heart disease is the leading cause of death. Diabetes and heart disease are closely connected, as people with diabetes are at two times the risk of developing heart disease compared to those who do not have diabetes.

As people understand more about how nutrition can benefit their health, they have found that sprouted grains benefit people who have diabetes and/or heart disease.

The sprouting process sets these grains apart, making them easier to digest. Vitamins and minerals are also more easily absorbed than in grains that have not sprouted.

Why are sprouted grains better?

• Grains are sprouted through a process where they are soaked in water and allowed to germinate. This leads to proteins and carbs being broken down, which makes vitamins and amino acids easier to digest.
• The carbohydrate content of sprouted grains changes. Starch content decreases while fiber increases. Less starch means blood sugar is less likely to spike during digestion, and higher fiber content slows down blood sugar absorption.
• The glycemic index (GI) is an indicator of how quickly blood sugar rises after eating certain foods. Low GI foods have scores of 0 to 55. This category includes foods such as apples, milk, yogurt, steel-cut oats and bran cereal. Sprouted grains fall into the low GI category generally scoring around 15, making them a blood sugar-friendly option.
• Fiber intake has also been shown to benefit heart health by decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, lowering inflammation and promoting normal blood pressure.
• Protein also changes during the sprouting process with increases in certain amino acids due to protein breakdown. These changes contribute to making sprouted grains more easily digested.

Do studies show sprouted grains can benefit diabetes and heart disease?

While research is limited, studies have shown that consuming sprouted grains can benefit both diabetes and heart disease.

One study looking at intake of germinated brown rice among people with type 2 diabetes found they had lower levels of fasting blood sugar and insulin.

Insulin sensitivity, which is how well the body responds to insulin, is an important aspect of diabetes management. Sprouted grains are thought to improve insulin sensitivity because of their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and their ability to promote steady blood sugar after eating.

The types of fat consumed make a difference in health. Omega-3 fatty acids have health benefits, and consuming them has been associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease. Sprouted grains, such as sprouted flax seeds, provide omega-3 fatty acids.

How to incorporate sprouted grains in your diet

Consuming sprouted grains is easier than you might think. By making a few changes to your eating pattern, you can add them to your diet in a variety of ways.

• For example, at breakfast, swap white bread for a sprouted grain bread, such as Ezekiel bread.
• If you like breakfast sandwiches, opt for Ezekiel Sprouted Grain English Muffins. The sky is the limit here: You can add eggs, cheese and any kind of vegetables you like for a savory morning meal.
• Beyond bread, try sprouted pasta instead of standard white or whole wheat varieties. Balance it out with a source of protein such as meat, fish or tofu along with a vegetable for fiber.
• On Taco Tuesday, use Ezekiel Taco Size Sprouted Grain Tortillas.
• As the weather — and your grill — warm up, use Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Burger Buns and Hot Dog Buns for a healthier option.

To benefit your blood sugar and heart health, it’s best to include the following components at your meals:

• A complex carbohydrate, such as sprouted grain breads, pastas or buns. Potatoes, peas, winter squash and corn also fall into this category and are considered starchy vegetables.
• A source of fiber, such as non-starchy vegetables. From broccoli to carrots to bell peppers, eat as many veggies as you’d like!
• A protein source, such as meat, fish, eggs, chickpeas or cottage cheese.
• If you’re unsure how to lay out your plate, use the Diabetes Plate Method: Half your plate has non-starchy vegetables, a quarter contains carbs and a quarter contains protein.
• Choose an unsweetened beverage such as water, milk or herbal tea to go with your meal.

Sprouted grains offer benefits to people living with diabetes and heart disease. Including them in your eating pattern as part of a healthy lifestyle is a smart way to optimize nutrition.

Small swaps in your diet can make a big difference. If you are interested in trying Food For Life’s products, use the Store Locator tool to find out where they are sold near you.

2026-09-01T10:01:00

(BPT) – By Kourtney Johnson, RD, LD

Americans aren’t getting enough fiber-rich foods. According to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, “Ninety to ninety-five percent of Americans fall short of recommended dietary fiber intake, consuming about 15 grams daily of the recommended 25–38 grams.”

Breakfast is a missed opportunity to increase fiber intake and typical breakfast foods like frozen waffles or sugary cereal provide almost none.

Why is it important to eat fiber in the morning?

A fiber-rich breakfast sets the tone for the day, promoting stable energy, improved digestion, decreased hunger and steady blood sugar.

Eating fiber in the morning helps keep your energy levels steady because it helps keep blood sugar stable. This also decreases cravings, which is key to limiting intake of the high-sugar foods we usually crave.

You can include fiber at breakfast in a variety of ways. Consider the following ideas.

Easy high-fiber breakfast ideas

• Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Bread and Cereal
  
• Sprouting makes it easier to digest fiber, and vitamins and minerals are better absorbed.
• Breakfast idea: two slices of Ezekiel Sprouted Whole Grain bread topped with avocado and a soft-boiled egg.
• Oats
  
• This breakfast classic provides four grams of fiber in a half cup of uncooked oats (which equals one cup cooked).
• Breakfast idea: overnight oats with chia seeds, berries and a spoonful of almond butter; all these ingredients contain fiber.
• Chia seeds
  
• Two tablespoons provide 10 grams of fiber, packing a punch in a small volume of food.
• Breakfast idea: chia pudding made the night before with almond milk and topped with mango or berries.
• Berries
  
• Raspberries contain the most fiber with eight grams per cup. Strawberries provide three grams for the same amount.
• Breakfast idea: berries added to yogurt, mixed into oatmeal or blended into a smoothie.
• Flaxseed
  
• Two tablespoons have four grams of fiber plus omega-3 fatty acids. Grinding or crushing flaxseed makes it easier for the body to absorb nutrients, especially the omega-3-containing oil.
• Breakfast idea: bake seeds into flaxseed muffins, stir them into oatmeal or sprinkle them into yogurt.
• Legumes
  
• Although they’re not a popular breakfast food, black beans go great with a savory meal and contain seven grams of fiber in a half cup.
• Breakfast idea: add beans to scrambled eggs or breakfast burritos on Ezekiel sprouted grain, flourless tortillas.

How to stack fiber without overhauling breakfast

To avoid feeling overwhelmed when it comes to adding fiber to your morning meal, consider these tips.

• Top your food: Start with a fiber base (such as Ezekiel sprouted grain cereal or oats) and add two fiber-rich toppings. These could be a half cup of raspberries and two tablespoons of chia seeds. You’d get a whopping 16 grams from your bowl of oatmeal alone!
• Swap foods out: Substitute one high-fiber food for a low-fiber equivalent. Exchange white toast for sprouted grain bread or flavored yogurt eaten alone for plain Greek yogurt with fruit and flaxseed.
• Blend foods together: Add a tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia to smoothies, batters or overnight oats. You’ll barely notice them while easily increasing fiber intake.
• Think ahead: Make fiber-rich breakfasts the night before. Options like chia pudding, overnight oats or fiber-rich bran muffins will be ready for you in the morning, saving you time.
• Increase slowly: One of the biggest considerations when increasing fiber is to do so slowly. Adding too much too fast can cause bloating and other GI symptoms. Add three to five grams per week until you reach your daily goal based on gender and age.

How to plan a week of high-fiber breakfasts

If you need inspiration, follow these ideas for including a variety of fiber-containing foods into your breakfast each day.

• Sunday: Cottage cheese bowl (replace blueberries with strawberries): ~7 grams fiber
• Monday: Two slices Ezekiel sprouted grain toast with half an avocado: ~11 grams fiber
• Tuesday: Overnight oats with two tablespoons flaxseed, 1/2 cup strawberries and one tablespoon almond butter: ~11 grams fiber
• Wednesday: Chia pudding with mango: ~13 grams fiber
• Thursday: Sweet potato hash with half an avocado: ~10 grams fiber
• Friday: Ezekiel Sprouted grain cereal with almond milk and half a cup blueberries: ~8 grams fiber
• Saturday: Whole wheat waffles topped with 1/2 cup blackberries and whipped cream: ~10 grams fiber

Adding fiber doesn’t need to involve a major overhaul. Instead, adding fiber-containing foods like Ezekiel bread or Cereal to what you usually eat is a way to make a big difference in fiber intake.

A fiber-filled breakfast will keep you full and provide steady energy for longer periods of time. Try different options to see which ones you like best!