Preparing IBS-Friendly Meals For A Busy Family

I have already shared my go-to IBS-friendly breakfast and lunch ideas that are approved by my two toddlers. Now, I wanted to add some more simple and kid-friendly options for dinner and dessert.

All these recipes are quick and easy to make. Even with a toddler attached to you and another one screaming at your feet. As always, please be sure to personalize everything to your own needs!

IBS-friendly dinners that my kids will eat:

Chicken with mushrooms, olives and rice, works for my IBS

Another easy meal we all love is chopped-up chicken with mushrooms and olives, served with rice. Yes, rice again, because that’s my ultimate safe food, and my kids like it, too! But pasta or potatoes would work here, too.

I just cut up some chicken and mushrooms, as well as some green olives (my 3-year-old won’t eat the black ones), and throw everything in a pan together. I personally love to add some honey or sour cream at the end to make a bit of a sauce, but that’s optional.

Gluten-free pasta with diced bacon and mushrooms

A go-to pasta dish for me consists of gluten-free pasta, mushrooms, diced bacon, and a little bit of sour cream. I always keep the sauce (bacon, mushrooms, and sour cream) separate from the pasta. This way, my toddlers get to decide what exactly they want to eat. Depending on how I’m feeling, I’ll mix in only a little bit of sauce or more if I’m doing well that day.

Rice with grilled salmon and avocado is easy on my stomach

Both my kids absolutely love salmon, and so do I. Grilled salmon is always a favorite in our house. I love mixing it with white rice and putting avocado on top because that reminds me of Japanese Chirashi bowls. I used to add soy sauce as well, but I can’t find a gluten-free version and my kids don’t love it. Instead, I sometimes add ginger, but only on my plate.

Grated carrots with chicken, honey, and rice

For a simple yet very tasty chicken dish, you can grate some carrots and fry them together with chicken strips coated in honey. I absolutely love the combination this creates. When serving, I always take the time to separate the carrots and chicken so my toddlers will actually eat them.

This goes very well with rice (again), but also any other side.

Desserts that are IBS friendly and also appeal to toddlers

Homemade applesauce for me and my toddlers

Peel a couple of apples, cut them up, and cook them in some water for a tasty, IBS-friendly dessert that children love. I personally don’t add sugar, but you totally could!

Chocolate bananas great for IBS-D

Whenever I’m craving a chocolate-y dessert but don’t have time to make anything, I cut up one or two slightly unripe bananas (great for my IBS-D) and melt a little bit of chocolate in the microwave to add on top. It tastes really good and doesn’t usually cause any symptoms for me. Plus, my kids think it’s super fun. Just beware of the inevitable mess!

Gluten-free chocolate muffins

I have perfected a super simple chocolate muffin recipe with only 5 ingredients: sugar, rice flour, butter, 3 eggs, and dark chocolate. Mix everything together, put the dough in muffin forms, and bake for 20 minutes. These muffins taste really good, but not fancy, so my kids love them and my IBS doesn’t usually object!

Gluten-free banana cake with chocolate crust

Whenever I have bananas lying around and don’t get around to eating them, this is my go-to dessert to make. I’ve also made it for all my children’s birthdays since it doesn’t contain too much sugar (except the sugar already present in bananas).

Just mash up your ripe bananas. Mix rice flour, a bit of sugar, and half a pack of baking powder in a bowl. Add butter, 2 eggs, and the mashed bananas. Mix everything together and bake at 392 °F for 45 minutes (check if it’s done). Then, melt some chocolate and put it on top. When it dries, it’ll create a lovely chocolate crust. My kids and husband love this cake, and it doesn’t make that big of a mess either!

Do you have other dinner and desert ideas that work for IBS-D and toddlers? If yes, please feel free to share them with the community!