Whip up healthy and delicious drinks
IT?S THE SEASON OF eating and merrymaking, and it helps if you have enough fiber in your diet to speed up digestion.

Benefiber is an easy-to-take natural fiber supplement made of wheat dextrin, a 100-percent natural soluble fiber that promotes a healthy digestive system.

Unlike other fiber supplements, Benefiber doesn?t become thick, gloppy and gel-like when left in water. It literally disappears and can be mixed in any non-carbonated drink and food item.

?Benefiber is non-gritty, and has no sugar and gluten. You can mix it in liquids like water, milk, coffee, juice; and soft food like gelatin and yoghurt,? said Joseph O?Neill, commercial director of Novartis, Benefiber distributor.

Fiber up!

Fiber lowers bad cholesterol that causes cardiovascular diseases, helps regulate blood-sugar level and lowers the risk of colorectal cancer.

?Benefiber regulates the appetite because it stays in the gut longer providing a feeling of satiety, making you feel full,? said nutritionist Dr. Monette Acosta.

Chef Rolando Laudico whipped up a Benefiber Christmas lunch at the recent launch in Bistro Filipino restaurant at The Fort. The menu consists of Christmas Salad (keso de bola soufflé with tomato, crisp ham and orange-and-pomelo salad); Christmas Roast (slow-roasted angus beef belly with oatmeal paella); and Christmas Salad (Spanish chocolate with strawberry and kiwi puree). All items are infused with Benefiber.

?I put Benefiber in the salad dressing and beef sauce. It can be added while cooking soups, dips, desserts and snacks, without compromising food palatability and presentation,? Laudico said.

Benefiber comes in an 80-g bottle and box of seven sachets. Each serving (2 tsp or 1 sachet) is equal to 3 g of dietary fiber. Recommended dosage is 2 tbsp twice daily for 12 years old and up, and 2 tsp once a day for kids 7-11 years old.

Best-drink contest

Novartis is holding the Beverage Recipe Contest until Nov. 30. Chef Laudico prepared a sample drink?the Sapak Punch, a refreshing mix of salabat, watermelon and Benefiber.

The Benefiber Beverage Recipe Contest (call 8159371 local 394 or visit www.novartis.com.ph for guidelines) is open to all Filipinos 18 years old and above. The recipe must have readily available but fresh ingredients. Drinks should be unsweetened, non-carbonated and non-alcoholic, and must have Benefiber mixed in. Cash prizes and gift packs await winners.

Here?s a sample of a healthy, fiber-rich drink.

Frosty Fruit Smoothie

1 c orange juice (you may substitute other fruit choices)

2 tbsp Benefiber

1 banana

2 c frozen fruit?peaches, berries, melon

Blend juice and Benefiber for 30 seconds. Add the bananas and blend until smooth.

Makes two servings.