Why Stainless Steel is the Must-Have for Every Modern Family
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Time to Read: 8 min
When my mom saw my kids using plastic plates, she wasn’t having any of it—and, honestly, she was onto something.
Back in India, we always used stainless steel. It was just what everyone did. But, raising my own kids as a busy doctor, I’ll admit that sometimes I just grabbed the plastic option without giving it much thought.
Then, I started noticing weird things. I'm sure you've noticed them too, like that funky smell that never seemed to wash out of the cups and the permanent tomato stains on their plates. Something wasn’t right.
I'm glad I trusted my mom's instincts because the science backs her up. In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) confirmed that stainless steel and glass are the safest options for children’s dinnerware. So, I decided to put a fresh spin on a classic and created Ahimsa—the first-ever colorful stainless steel dishes designed for kids. At Ahimsa, we’ve done our own social test - check out the results on why stainless steel dining plates, cups, and bowls are best.
With its real health perks and built-in eco-friendliness, stainless steel can make your life a bit easier, healthier, and greener.
About Ahimsa
Founded by a pediatrician and mom of three
Stainless steel is the only kid-friendly material recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics
We are guided by a Scientific Advisory Council comprised of environmental and medical experts, guiding us in creating the safest products, following the latest science and promoting policy to protect human health and our planet
Want to know more? Check out our story and our products.
The Health Benefits of Stainless Steel
Let’s talk about something that pops up a lot around here: health. If you’ve ever been around a toddler, you’ve seen that kids put everything in their mouths. That’s how they learn about the world. You’re already on the lookout for anything small enough to choke on, but do you apply the same vigilance to the chemicals they might be exposed to?
Plastics have a downside, even though plastic dishes might seem like an easy choice for kids. Chemicals like BPA and phthalates that can interfere with hormones and cause developmental issues. They’re less common than they were a few years ago, but you still have to watch out for them. When they’re heated or scratched, “BPA-free” plastics can still release other questionable substances.
Materials like melamine and bamboo that seem more natural, but they can come with their own problems. Formaldehyde can be released when melamine is heated, and bamboo often uses adhesives that might not be the best for little ones.
This is why I use stainless steel in the products I designed for Ahimsa. It’s made from safe, natural elements that don’t leak any harmful chemicals into your food. That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics gives it a thumbs-up as a safe option for kids.
If you serve food on sturdy, nice-looking dishes, you can actually make mealtime more enjoyable for kids. When you serve food on something they genuinely like, kids are more likely to appreciate their food and develop healthy eating habits. Those early positive connections with food can really shape their health and happiness down the line. I’ve seen it myself as a pediatrician.
Mealtime Essentials
Stainless Steel is Durable & Cost-Effective
Your kids are probably a lot like mine -- they’re not exactly gentle with their belongings. Dropped, thrown, bumped into, left under the couch (?) -- kids tend to treat stuff like there's an endless supply. Shattered plates, dented bowls, and chipped mugs, you name it. It felt like I was constantly replacing their dishes.
Yes, stainless steel might have a higher upfront cost than the plastic version, but it's an investment that pays off the moment your kid pushes it off a highchair or uses it as a frisbee. Stainless steel is incredibly durable. It can withstand drops, bumps, and even the occasional tantrum-induced toss across the room. It doesn't stain or warp, so it looks just as good years later as it did on day one. You can’t say the same thing for the plastic cups in your cupboard.
Think about all the money you'll save by not having to constantly replace broken or worn-out dishes. Plus, you'll be doing your part to reduce waste and protect the environment. Every plastic plate or bowl we throw away, the more stuff we put in our landfills, where it can take hundreds of years to decompose. Stainless steel is recyclable and can be used again and again. It's a small change that can make a big difference for our planet, just like it can for our health.
The Aesthetic Appeal of Stainless Steel
We eat with our eyes first, and that’s especially true for kids. If the tableware is fun and colorful, mealtime becomes a lot more exciting—and it might even tempt picky eaters to try new foods.
Stainless steel has this sleek, modern vibe that works with any kitchen style. Its clean lines and shiny surface add a little elegance to the table. Minimalist kitchen? Maybe more of a classic feel? Stainless steel blends right in.
And if you’re thinking stainless steel might be too “grown-up” for kids, think again. Just look at the colors on our stainless steel dishes. We’ve added a bright, food-safe coating to our dishes, turning them into a rainbow of fun that kids just love. From bold blues and sunny yellows to playful pinks and greens, color is something kids love..
Practical Tips for Using Stainless Steel in Your Home
Stainless steel isn’t just for the dinner table—it’s super versatile and can easily become part of your everyday life in all sorts of ways. Beyond just plates and bowls, think about swapping out some of your plastic stuff for stainless steel alternatives.
Pack healthy, waste-free lunches in stainless steel lunchboxes for school or work. They keep your food fresh without any of those soggy sandwich moments or leaky messes. The Circle Trio right here at Ahimsa is designed for scenarios exactly like that. It’s durable, easy to clean, and you don’t have to worry about any weird chemicals getting into your kids' food.
Another must-have are stainless steel water bottles. They keep your drinks cold for hours, and they don’t bring any nasty chemicals into your water. They’re stylish and available in all sorts of sizes and colors. You can pick one that fits your vibe.
Stainless Steel from Ahimsa
So, that’s the scoop. It’s not just some trendy material - stainless steel is a smart pick for families who care about health, sustainability, and want a little bit of style. Safe, tough, and good-looking, it’s an alternative to plastic and other materials that can help you create a more positive and eco-friendly home.
There to make things a little easier and a bit greener, stainless steel works whether it’s mealtime or playtime. Give it a shot. Swap out some of your plastic items for stainless steel and see the difference for yourself. This one small choice will be appreciated by your kids, your wallet, and the planet.
Explore our entire catalog of stainless steel children's plates, bowls, trays, and more.
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
More Mealtime Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use stainless steel instead of plastic? Is stainless steel better for health?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a report in July 2018 suggesting ways that families can limit exposure to certain chemicals at mealtime, including “the use of alternatives to plastic, such as glass or stainless steel, when possible.” The report explained that “…some additives are put directly in foods, while “indirect” additives may include chemicals from plastic, glues, dyes, paper, cardboard”. Further, “Children are more sensitive to chemical exposures because they eat and drink more, relative to body weight, than adults do, and are still growing and developing.” While stainless steel items meet the recommendation to avoid plastic products in children, Ahimsa® products have the obvious advantage of not breaking like glass.
Is stainless steel better for the environment than plastic?
According to the Steel Recycling Institute, steel can be recycled over and over and over again without losing its integrity and requires less energy to recycle than to make anew. Most plastic unfortunately ends up in landfills and it is estimated to take 700 years to decompose. Our special coloring process that allows Ahimsa® products to be fully metal is environmentally friendly, so it does not produce toxic run-off into the ecosystem.
Will Ahimsa products break or peel?
No. Our steel is durable, so it won’t break or shatter with everyday use, like glass. And it won’t peel, like other colored stainless steel products you’ve seen. We use a special process that allows the colors to naturally occur in the metal.
Which Ahimsa products are best for my little one(s)?
Our products are meant to last, you can use Ahimsa at ages 1, 8 and 18! We thoughtfully design our products to be safe for little ones and our planet while reducing consumption. Once your child outgrows the Starting Solids Set and can use regular cups and utensils, the training cup is the perfect size rinse cup in the bathroom, the infant spoon doubles as a tea stirrer and the bowl is great for snacks or as an additional compartment to our modular divided plate. Our plates are great for any age as they encourage choosing a variety of healthy foods at each meal and help visualize portion sizes easily. It’s the lasting beauty of stainless steel - grows with your child and reduces waste.
