How One Pediatrician’s Mission to Protect Kids’ Health Started with a Dinner Plate
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Time to Read: 9 min
If you've ever had your mom catch you doing something she strongly disapproves of, you'll understand exactly what I felt when mine walked into my kitchen. Hands on her hips, shaking her head—she was staring at the plastic plates my kids were using. Without saying a word, her expression told me everything: plastic dishes were a no-go. I’d grown up eating from stainless steel plates every day back in India. Here in the U.S., though, convenience and cute cartoon characters had won me over. Whoops...
But there was this weird feeling I couldn't shake off. Ever notice how plastic plates hold onto tomato sauce stains or have that odd smell you just can’t wash away? Yeah, me too. Turns out those weren't just annoying quirks—my pediatrician instincts were spot-on. Plastic dishes were hiding chemicals I didn't want anywhere near my children's food.
My mom was right (as usual). That eye-opening moment—and a little tough love from her—was exactly what I needed to start Ahimsa. From then on, I became determined to create the best non toxic kids plates.
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.
A Pediatrician’s Wake-Up Call
In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released guidelines officially stating that stainless steel and glass dishes were the safest options for kids. As a pediatrician, reading that report felt like finally getting permission to trust my gut instinct — and yes, my mom’s opinion, too.
Here's the thing: plastics can contain harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates. Without getting too science-y, these chemicals easily leach into food, especially when heated, and they can mess with children's hormones and overall development. Growing bodies absorb way more than adults, so what kids eat from actually matters — a lot.
When I saw the AAP's official recommendation, my first reaction was to call my mom. That phone call was a loving “I told you so” moment. Sometimes, even pediatricians need their mothers to remind them of the obvious. Like I’ve said before, Ahimsa is my love letter to all children, including my three little ones. But, I have to give the credit to my mom for giving me just the nudge that I needed. She’s the best!
Turning Concern into Action
As soon as I accepted that plastic plates had to go, the hunt for a better alternative started—but quickly hit a wall. Turns out, finding stainless steel dinnerware in America that kids might actually get excited about was surprisingly tough. Plain, industrial-looking metal trays wouldn’t exactly get toddlers racing to the table, you know?
Determined to change this, I did what anyone with a big dream & supportive spouse might do: asked my husband to drop everything and fly to India with me. (Because clearly, hopping on an international flight to chase dishware dreams is totally normal.) Thankfully, he didn’t think twice. Off we went to meet manufacturers and figure out how to make stainless steel dishes safe, colorful, and irresistible to kids.
That wild leap of faith became Ahimsa. Our goal is pretty simple: get plastic off dinner tables everywhere, and replace it with dishes that kids genuinely love using—colorful, fun, and safe enough to last their entire childhood. Because healthier kids shouldn’t mean boring dinnerware.
Ahimsa Dishes: The Best Non Toxic Kids Plates
Stainless steel dishes are the ultimate no-brainer for families. They don’t have sneaky chemicals like BPA or phthalates hiding in them, and you can wave goodbye forever to those weird, lingering smells or stubborn food stains. Plus, stainless steel is dishwasher-safe — no special care needed — and built to last a lifetime (seriously, your grandkids could end up using these same plates).
But we didn’t just want dishes that were safe, we wanted dishes that kids couldn’t wait to use. To make that happen, we use a fancy (but super-safe) method called Physical Vapor Deposition, or PVD. Basically, PVD adds a thin layer of vibrant, kid-friendly color to our stainless steel without chemicals, paints, or dyes. And guess what? Doctors even use this method in medical implants, so it’s safe enough to go inside your body, not just hold your kid's snacks. Kids absolutely love our rainbow finishes, and parents love knowing they’re truly the best non toxic kids plates out there.
The moment our first colorful prototypes arrived, my daughter looked at me wide-eyed and asked, “Mommy, did you make these? Are you an inventor?” It was one of those heart-melting moments that makes the messy, unpredictable journey of parenthood completely worth it. While I'd been buried in details, I hadn’t realized my kids were watching closely, learning by example. Maybe dishes are a small thing—but inspiring my kids to dream big? That felt huge. As you can imagine, my mom was also pretty proud.
Mealtime Essentials
Making a Real Difference
Seeing Ahimsa dishes featured on platforms like Parents Magazine, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and even in Fortune Magazine has been pretty surreal. (And winning the Good Housekeeping Parenting Award wasn’t too shabby, either!) Honestly, every time our dishes show up somewhere new, it’s less about bragging rights — okay, maybe just a tiny bit — and more about knowing our message about kids’ health is getting out there.
Beyond colorful plates, advocating for children's environmental health is a personal priority. Serving on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change & the Council for School Health has allowed me to take these issues head-on. My goal in these roles is straightforward: make it easy for parents & schools to take practical, science-based actions that protect kids from harmful chemicals and environmental risks.
Because let's face it, busy parents don’t need another complicated set of rules to follow. I want to give families tools that actually help—no medical degree required. Protecting our children’s health should feel simple, accessible, and achievable, and that’s exactly what Ahimsa aims to do.
Small Steps, Big Changes
As a pediatrician & a mom, I’ve seen over & over again how tiny decisions—like the dishes we use every day—can lead to major improvements in children's health. The truth is, protecting your kids and our planet doesn’t always mean drastic lifestyle shifts or complicated solutions. Sometimes, it’s as simple as choosing dinnerware thoughtfully.
Picking the best non toxic kids plates is an easy but meaningful action that shows your family—and the environment—some extra love. Trust me, these small changes add up. One day your own mom might even give you that proud, knowing smile that says: "you nailed it."
Mother’s Day always reminds me of the women who've inspired me along the way—my own mom who sparked this entire journey, and all the amazing mothers I've met through Ahimsa who care deeply about creating healthier futures for their children. I'm truly grateful to share what I've learned with the world. Ahimsa is just one way to help families make healthier choices, providing tools that make mealtime and home care safer, simpler, and better for everyone.
Shop our stainless steel products today, and celebrate Mother's Day by taking a small step toward a healthier home.
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.
