Ahimsa’s 5-Year Anniversary: Celebrating Mindful Mealtime & Conscious Cafeteria
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Time to Read: 8 min
I cannot believe that Ahimsa is already turning five. What started as a casual conversation at my own dinner table—just trying to figure out safer, healthier options for my kids—has turned into something way bigger than I ever imagined. As both a pediatrician and a mom, I saw the real need for dishes that were non-toxic, tough enough to last, and still fun for kids to use. That's why Ahimsa came to life, and honestly, it’s been amazing to see how many families have joined me in this mission.
Whenever I hear about kids loving their rainbow steel plates or schools swapping to stainless steel compartment trays, it reminds me of why we kicked this off in the first place. Thanks for being a part of this. Together, we’re making sure our kids have a healthier future—one meal at a time.
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.
Mindful Mealtime: How We’ve Helped Families Build Healthy Routines
At our house, mealtime isn’t just about filling our plates and digging in—it’s also about setting up habits that stick for life. I’ve always felt that teaching kids to make healthy choices from an early age gives them a good start, and that’s exactly where our compartment plate and 5-compartment plate come in handy. These plates break food up into balanced portions, and I’ve seen my own kids get curious about trying new foods just because they’re interested in what goes in each section. Healthy eating becomes a bit more fun that way.
I get how tough it can be to keep meals both nutritious and exciting for kids, which is why I came up with the Mealtime Guide. It’s packed with useful tips and tricks that have worked for my family, and I’m really happy to share them with other parents. The idea’s simple: make mealtime less of a headache and more of a mindful experience.
Ahimsa’s also been shaped a lot by the Montessori approach, which I love because it gives kids the freedom to own their meals. Letting them decide how much to serve themselves or where each food goes makes them feel more in control. It builds their confidence, independence—and I find it makes dinner time more fun for everyone.
Mealtime Essentials
Conscious Cafeteria Project: Bringing Healthy, Sustainable Eating to Schools
Because schools play a big role in shaping how kids eat, I knew we had to take the idea of healthier mealtimes beyond just the house. As part of the Clinton Global Initiative, the goal of the Conscious Cafeteria Project is simple: bring in safer, sustainable options that benefit kids and the planet, and help schools lose plastic and harmful chemicals.
With what we know about the risks to children’s health, there’s no reason plastics and toxic materials should be anywhere near school cafeterias. I’m really proud that Ahimsa’s compartment tray is already making a difference in schools by replacing single-use plastics. These trays don’t have any of the junk parents worry about and are tough and reusable.
Kids are excited when they use the stainless steel compartment trays, and that’s been the coolest part. They’re starting to understand they’re part of something bigger—it’s not just about the food anymore. Even in small ways, they know they’re helping the planet. Although the impact is large - more than 80% reduction in carbon emissions when a school transitions from disposable foodware to Ahimsa reusable steel! Check out our report. I’ve been to schools where kids talk about their trays like badges of honor, something they’re proud to use every day.
It’s a win for everyone to switch to stainless steel. By protecting kids from the chemicals in plastic, schools reduce waste and save money over time. The Conscious Cafeteria Project is a big step toward creating healthier, more sustainable places for our kids to grow and learn in, and I’m excited to see what’s next.
Why Stainless Steel? The Science Behind the Choice
My top priority has always been keeping kids safe and healthy. It was obvious that stainless steel was the best choice for foodware, when I looked at the research. Unlike plastic, which can leach harmful chemicals like BPA and PVC, stainless steel is naturally non-toxic. That’s why all of Ahimsa’s plates for kids are totally free from those nasty substances – including our popular rainbow steel.
Super tough stainless steel isn’t just about safety. With plates getting dropped, thrown, and tested in ways only kids can dream up, any parent knows that mealtime can feel like a mini war zone. That's why we went with stainless steel from day one, because I knew we had to make something that could handle all that. It lasts forever, which makes it not just a safer option for kids, but a smart choice for families who need a product that’ll stick around.
Whether for babies, toddlers, or bigger kids, our non-toxic plates give parents what they really want—peace of mind. Because they know their kids are eating from something safe, I’ve heard from so many families who love our products. When you put together safety, durability, and fun, stainless steel just makes sense.
What’s Next For Ahimsa?
I'm so very proud of what Ahimsa has accomplished over the past five years. I'm also excited that it feels like we're really just getting started. Ahimsa started as a way to give my own kids safer mealtime options, but it’s turned into something bigger—a push for healthier, more sustainable eating habits at home and in schools.
More schools are starting to use stainless steel trays, and our Conscious Cafeteria Project keeps growing. None of us can afford to let that momentum falter.
We're going to keep making new Montessori-inspired products for families that will help kids take control of their meals in healthy, creative, and fun ways — all while making it easier for parents, too.
Every day, I focus on simple, little changes that parents can make to have a big impact on our kids' health and the health of the environment. We can all choose sustainable options to help protect the planet for future generations.
Join us—together, we’ll raise healthier kids and make the world a whole lot greener.
A Big Thank You
I just want to take a moment to personally thank every family that’s supported Ahimsa these past five years. You've been such an important part of this whole journey, and I'm really grateful for your trust and belief in what we’re doing—making mealtimes healthier and safer for everyone. Watching Ahimsa grow has been amazing, and it's all because of families like yours who stand behind our mission.
If you haven’t checked it out yet, take a minute to explore our products and browse through the Mealtime Guide. It's full of simple tips that make healthy eating easier and way more fun for the whole family. Thanks again for being a part of this—we truly couldn't have done it without you.
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.
