Healthy Mealtime With Stainless Steel Toddler Plates

How Stainless Steel Toddler Plates Support Healthy and Sustainable Mealtime

By Dr. Manasa Mantravadi

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Time to Read: 7 min

Healthy, happy kids thrive on the choices we make every day—especially at mealtime. Sitting down to eat is more than just filling plates. It’s a chance to shape lifelong habits that support their bodies, strengthen their emotions & build their awareness of the world around them.


I understand how tempting convenience can be. Life moves fast. Schedules fill up. The to-do list never seems to end. I’ve been there. But I’ve also seen how small, thoughtful changes during mealtime leave lasting impressions. Choosing safe, durable, and sustainable dishware doesn’t just help our kids eat better—it quietly teaches them to care for the planet too.


Kids notice everything. When my children see me serving meals on reusable, safe plates, they’re learning how to care for themselves and their environment. Those small moments shape how they think and grow, creating habits that stick with them for life.

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 Stainless Steel is the Best Choice for Toddlers

Choosing the right dishware for toddlers is all about keeping them safe and making life easier for parents. That’s a big reason why I use stainless steel dishes at Ahimsa. It offers a safe, durable, and practical solution that supports healthy mealtimes.


In my own home, safety has always been the first priority—especially with anything that touches my kids’ food. I remember standing in my kitchen, staring at those plastic plates and wondering what was actually in them. I didn’t want to question if their bowls or cups were leaching chemicals into their meals. Stainless steel took that worry off my plate. No BPA, no phthalates, no PVC, no lead. Just a clean, safe material I could trust. As a pediatrician—and more importantly, as a mom—that peace of mind means everything.


And let’s be honest, toddlers aren’t exactly gentle. Plates hit the floor, cups get launched across the room, and bowls somehow end up under the couch. I’ve tried plastic, glass, even bamboo. Plastic cracks, glass shatters, and bamboo wears down. Stainless steel is still going strong after all the drops and tumbles. It’s one less thing I have to replace, and that’s a win in my book.

Encouraging Healthy Eating Habits

Mealtime is full of opportunities to help kids build a healthy relationship with food. Small things—like how food is served—can make a big difference. When kids see a variety of foods laid out in clear portions, they start to understand balance. Fruits, veggies & proteins each have their place, and that simple setup encourages them to try a little of everything without feeling overwhelmed.


Colors play a role too. Bright, inviting dishes naturally draw kids in. They become curious, more willing to explore what’s in front of them, and even excited to try something new. Sometimes, a playful setup can turn a hesitant eater into one who’s open to new tastes.


Giving kids some independence at the table matters just as much. Letting them serve themselves, decide what to eat, and pay attention to their own hunger cues builds confidence. It’s a small but powerful way to help them develop lifelong habits that support their health and well-being.

Reducing Waste with Sustainable Choices

Single-use plastics and fragile dishware create constant waste. Cracked plastic plates end up in the trash. Broken glass dishes can’t be reused. Stainless steel solves both problems. It lasts for years without cracking, chipping, or wearing down. One set of stainless steel toddler plates can replace dozens of plastic or breakable options over time.


Choosing durable, reusable items over disposable ones makes a lasting impact—not just on your wallet but on the planet too. Investing in sturdy, long-lasting products means fewer replacements and less waste over time. That kind of mindful choice saves money and cuts down on unnecessary packaging and trash.


Kids are always paying attention. They notice the choices we make, big and small. When they see us opting for reusable items instead of disposable ones, it sends a powerful message about responsibility. These everyday habits quietly teach them that caring for the environment starts at home. Simple changes in how we consume can spark lifelong habits that support a healthier planet for them to grow up in.

Mealtime Essentials

Building Positive Mealtime Routines

Mealtime can be more than just eating—it can teach kids important life skills. Involving children in setting the table gives them a sense of responsibility. Hand them their own plates, cups & utensils. Let them choose where to sit or help arrange napkins. Simple tasks like these build confidence and make them feel like valued members of the family.


A calm, distraction-free environment helps kids focus on their food and the people around them. Turn off the TV. Put away phones. Soft lighting and quiet conversation create a peaceful setting where kids can relax. This kind of atmosphere encourages them to slow down and pay attention to what they’re eating.


Mindful eating starts early. Encourage kids to listen to their bodies—eat when they’re hungry, stop when they’re full. Talk about how food tastes, smells & feels. Ask questions like, “Is your tummy feeling full?” or “What do you like about this?” These conversations help children understand their own hunger cues and appreciate the food in front of them. Simple, consistent routines create mealtimes that support healthy habits and family connections.

How Ahimsa Supports Health and Sustainability

I started Ahimsa because I couldn’t find dishware I truly felt good about using for my own kids. As a pediatrician, I knew the research. As a mom, I felt the worry. 


Every product I’ve designed comes straight from the chaos of real family life. I thought about what we actually need during mealtime—materials that are safe, dishes that can survive the drops and spills, and colors that make kids excited to sit down and eat. Ahimsa is built for the mess, the laughter, and the everyday moments that make family life what it is.


At its heart, Ahimsa is about protecting our kids and caring for the planet they’ll grow up in. Families deserve products that feel safe, sturdy & meaningful. 


Take a look at the wide range of products available right here at Ahimsa, and get started on your family’s healthy and sustainable future. 

Dr. Manasa Mantravadi

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.

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