It’s difficult to stand by when someone you love is suffering. Does your Valentine miss fun outings or important obligations due to IBS pain or needing to stay close to the toilet? If so, here are a few things you can do to help.
What can you do to help your Valentine with IBS? Let us count the ways. Maybe make our Lover’s Chocolate Lava Bowls to share on the holiday?
Suggest that your Valentine try a low-FODMAP diet. If increasing fiber intake hasn’t improved IBS symptoms, it’s time to try something new. You’ll be a hero if your suggestion turns your Valentine's life around. Could a gift copy of The IBS Elimination Diet and Cookbook be in order? (Probably not a romantic choice as a Valentine’s Day present, right? Go with the roses and chocolate for V-Day and surprise your sweetheart with the book some other day that week. Just a suggestion.)
Take a little time to understand FODMAPs yourself. It can be a tough topic, and two heads are better than one.
Be a good sport. Working through stages of a FODMAP-elimination diet takes some time. It might impact some of your activities as a couple, or as family. Your Valentine might not be able to dine out with you as frequently while trialing the low-FODMAP diet; meals at home are easier to manage. Don’t worry, low-FODMAP foods taste great, and eating a low-FODMAP recipe or meal won’t hurt you a bit!
When the time comes, gently encourage your Valentine to reintroduce FODMAPs. Some people feel so pleased with the results of their low-FODMAP diets that they are reluctant to begin reintroducing. But, nutritious high-FODMAP foods shouldn’t be eliminated forever without cause! The reintroduction process will help narrow things down by identifying which foods are well tolerated and which are not. Your Valentine needs to learn about this by reintroducing FODMAPs systematically, so be a pal and don’t suggest complicated restaurant meals or foods like pizza during this phase of the diet.
Not everyone with IBS can or should do a strict elimination diet. Let your Valentine know that’s OK. Sometimes informally cutting back on FODMAPs is a good start. You can help, when it’s your turn to cook. For example, please don’t put onions and garlic in every blessed thing! Check out our FODMAP Big 10 post and see what clicks. Can you serve these IBS-UNfriendly foods less often or in smaller amounts?
Although you can’t do a FODMAP elimination diet for them, your support and encouragement will not go unnoticed. Don’t worry, the process doesn’t last forever. Soon your Valentine will be feeling better and the two of you can live happily ever after!
And here’s a little gift from me, a delicious dessert you can share with your Valentine!
Lovers’ Chocolate Lava Bowls
One serving of this decadent dessert is low-FODMAP, and gluten-free too!. It’s a really easy recipe to put together—for spectacular results, just be sure to preheat the oven and set the timer for baking.
Servings: 2 Yield: 2 individual-sized cakes
Ingredients
¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 extra-large egg, room temperature, slightly beaten
½ cup lactose-free vanilla ice cream
Directions:
Lover’s Chocolate Lava Bowls look puffy around the edge and soft in the middle when done. A toothpick or cake tester won’t work on this recipe. Use a timer, and take it out of the oven after 25 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 300 °F. This step is essential to the success of the recipe. Place the oven rack in the middle of the oven. Grease two 4- to 5-ounce ramekins on the bottom and halfway up the sides with a dab of butter.
In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate and butter. Microwave on high, for about 30 seconds, until chocolate and butter are melted. Stir in the vanilla.
In a separate small bowl, combine the sugar and cornstarch, then stir them into the chocolate-butter mixture. Add the egg; beat vigorously, using a spoon.
Divide the batter into the two prepared ramekins. Place them on a baking sheet. Bake for exactly 25 minutes. The middle of each lava bowl will still be soft, while the edges will be puffy and crackled.
Cool for 15 minutes. Serve warm, topped with ice cream.
Dollar savers:
Nestle’s Toll House semi-sweet morsels are reasonably priced and widely available; store brand semisweet morsels were also tested and work well in this recipe. If you don’t have vanilla extract on hand it can be omitted. Regular ice cream can be substituted for lactose-free ice cream. To keep it low-FODMAP, don’t exceed the amount called for in the recipe.
Time savers:
Measure the ingredients in advance, and allow the egg to come to room temperature, while you eat the rest of your meal. For best results, finish preparing the recipe at the last minute, just 15 minutes or so before serving it.
Make it Fancy
Garnish with sliced strawberries or pomegranate seeds just before serving for a pop of color.
First published February 2, 2018. Updated January 31, 2025.
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