Poolside Dinner Power Wraps: Chicken or Chickpea Pitas with Cooling Yogurt and Crunchy Veggies
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Time to Read: 8 min
Welcome to The Pediatrician Kitchen at Ahimsa
I’m a pediatrician and a busy mom of three. So I understand how chaotic mealtimes can feel. But I also know, from science and real life, that what we serve our kids and how we serve it matter more than we think.
That’s why I created The Pediatrician Kitchen: to help families shift from convenience to intention when it comes to food. Because mealtimes aren’t just moments to fill bellies. They’re powerful opportunities to shape lifelong health.
Each recipe here is crafted to break through the three biggest barriers to healthy eating: time, cost, and skill, while also explaining the “why” behind the ingredients, so you feel confident and empowered in every bite you serve.
In our home, we serve meals like this on stainless steel plates and bowls, not just because they’re durable, but because they support safe, healthy routines every day.
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.
Why This Recipe Works
These Cooling Chicken or Chickpea Pita Wraps are made for summer evenings, especially after long days at the pool or playground. They’re refreshing, colorful, and packed with protein, fiber, and hydration.
And they’re built for real life: quick to prep, fun for kids to build themselves, and easy to portion on the Ahimsa Balanced Bite Plate, helping even young children learn what a nourishing meal looks like. Small touches (like setting out ingredients in stainless steel dishes) can turn dinner into a more intentional (and less messy) experience.
Recipe: Chicken or Chickpea Cooling Pita Wraps
5 minutes
10 Minutes
4
Dinner
Ingredients:
Protein Base (choose one):
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- OR 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and mashed with 1 tbsp olive oil, juice of ½ lemon, and pinch of salt
Yogurt Sauce:
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: ½ tsp tahini or cumin
Fresh Fillings:
- 4 whole grain pita pockets or flatbreads
- ½ cup shredded lettuce
- ½ cup grated carrot
- ½ cup sliced cucumber
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Optional: avocado, mint, cilantro, or crumbled feta
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix your chicken or chickpeas with the yogurt sauce.
- Warm pitas slightly if desired.
- Let kids build their own wrap with the toppings they love.
- Serve on the Ahimsa Balanced Bite Plate with fresh fruit and a glass of water.
Serving tip: A simple way to encourage independence: let kids assemble their wraps using a sectioned or compartment-style plate, which helps guide variety and balance.
Mealtime Essentials
Why These Ingredients Work (Backed by Science)
Protein (Chicken or Chickpeas):
Essential for muscle repair, immune support, and fullness. Chickpeas also provide fiber for gut health and blood sugar balance.
(Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, 2020)
Greek Yogurt:
Packed with probiotics, calcium, and vitamin B12 to support digestion, bone growth, and long-term immunity.
(Nutrients, 2021)
Hydrating Veggies (Cucumber, Carrot, Tomato):
Naturally high in water, vitamin A, and vitamin C. rucial for hydration, immune resilience, and tissue repair after sun exposure.
(American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Report, 2023)
Whole Grains:
Provide complex carbohydrates for steady energy and fiber for digestive health.
(Harvard School of Public Health)
Culinary Medicine in Action: Time, Cost, Skill
TIME:
- 15 minutes or less
- Great use for rotisserie chicken or canned beans
COST:
- ~$2.50 per serving
- Pantry-friendly and easily repurposed
SKILL:
- No stovetop or oven required
- Kids can assemble their own plates for hands-on learning
Food Is a Teachable Moment
From a Pediatrician:
This meal cools, rehydrates, and nourishes after a hot day, while helping your child learn how real food fuels their body.
From an OT:
Scooping and building wraps support fine motor development, sensory exploration, and confidence at the table.
From an RD:
The variety of textures and colors helps expand picky palates and reinforces dietary balance with every bite.
Even the act of plating food thoughtfully on something as simple as stainless steel dishes can reinforce healthy mealtime habits.
Keep Healthy Food…Healthy
You’re investing in nourishing ingredients, don’t undo that by using plastic plates that may leach harmful chemicals when exposed to heat, acid, or repeated use.
The Ahimsa Balanced Bite Plate is:
- Made from non-toxic stainless steel
- Designed by a pediatrician to teach visual portioning of protein, produce, and grains
- Non-breakable and dishwasher-safe, making it perfect for outdoor dinners, summer picnics, and busy little hands
Choosing thoughtfully designed tableware like stainless steel plates and bowls adds one more layer of care to the healthy meals you’re already creating.
Because healthy food deserves a safe, smart plate.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just a summer dinner. It’s a small, powerful step toward lifelong health.
When we make mindful meals like this, we’re not just feeding our kids; we’re shaping their relationship with food, with their bodies, and with themselves.
You don’t need perfection. You just need a plate, a plan, and a little perspective.
At Ahimsa, we believe even everyday tools, like stainless steel containers and plates, can help make those habits stick.
One wrap, one bite, one moment at a time, you’re building healthy habits that last.
Want more science-backed, real-life recipes your family will love?
Follow The Pediatrician Kitchen at Ahimsa where food is medicine, and mealtime is a moment that matters.
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.
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.
