All because the lady loves Milktray...

We all remember the advert right? The mysterious, death defying - stunt man dressed head-to-toe in black. Dicing with death by throwing himself from a moving helicopter or scaling a 40ft building to deliver that purple box of chocs to the lady in question... PLOT TWIST - what if "the lady" has IBS??? Milktray is not going to cut it this Valentine's - helicopter or no helicopter. Unfortunately, if you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you probably know that indulging in milk chocolate or sugary treats doesn’t always end well. While eating chocolate can increase the levels of endorphins released into your brain, resulting in mood elevation along with feelings of reduced stress and even euphoria, if you suffer with IBS, it can trigger some unpleasant digestive symptoms. Why Milk Chocolate and Sweets Can Be a Problem High Lactose Content – Milk chocolate contains lactose, a type of sugar that many people with IBS struggle to digest. This can lead to bloating, gas, and discomfort. Excess Sugar – Sweet treats, including chocolates, biscuits, and pastries, often contain high levels of refined sugar, which can contribute to bloating and diarrhoea by drawing excess water into the gut. Fat Content – Many chocolates and sweets are high in fat, which can slow digestion and trigger symptoms like cramping and nausea. Artificial Sweeteners – Sugar-free options might seem like a good alternative, but many contain artificial sweeteners like sorbitol and maltitol, which can have a laxative effect and cause digestive distress. But all is not lost! We've got your back (or gut) this Valentine's Day with some alternative chocolatey gorgeousness you can treat yourself too - although, we always say to air on the side of caution and moderate your intake of any sweet treats when you have IBS. Gut-Friendly Alternatives Dark Chocolate (70%+ Cocoa) – Lower in sugar and lactose, dark chocolate in moderation is often better tolerated. Dairy-Free Chocolate – Brands that use oat, almond, or rice milk can be a great option. Here are some great options: Nomo Moo-Free Cocoa Libre Fruit with Nut Butter – Apple slices with almond butter or banana with peanut butter can provide natural sweetness without the IBS triggers. Coconut-Based Treats – Coconut yoghurt with a drizzle of honey and nuts makes for a creamy, gut-friendly alternative. Having IBS doesn't mean you have to completely avoid treats - it's bad enough having this debilitating condition in the first place! You just have to find what works best for you and your body. Choosing lower-lactose, higher cocoa content chocolate is a great start!

Gut-Friendly Snicker Bites Recipe

Want the buttery, caramel and salty nuttiness of snickers without the worry that it's going to trigger an IBS flare-up? Here's a recipe for you to try...but remember try and moderate how many you have in one sitting to make sure you don't upset your gut! There is a low FODMAP serve of dates. The gap between a low serve (20g) and a moderate serve (40g) suggests there might be a small amount of wiggle room. Ingredients: 5 dates, pitted or remove the stones if not - around 20g each with the stone removed 5 teaspoons low FODMAP nut butter of choice (I used Whole Earth Crunchy Peanut Butter) 50g dark chocolate (at least 70% Cocoa) Pinch of sea salt flakes, to finish (optional) Directions:

• Slice the dates open like a book to remove the seed if you aren't using pitted dates.
• Stuff each date with 1/2 teaspoon nut butter (or as much as they will fit).
• Close the dates and place them in a lined baking tray.
• Melt the chocolate in a small bowl. You can do this in the microwave or over a bain-marie on the hob.
• Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, use two forks to dip each date into the chocolate and coat it completely.
• Place the date on your lined tray. Repeat with the remaining dates.
• Sprinkle over a pinch of sea salt, if you're using it. You could also use some crushed nuts.
• Pop them in the freezer for 20-25 minutes The dates should start to set quite quickly.
• Remove from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature before enjoying.

BonAppetit!