Your 16-Ounce Jar: A Practical Guide

A reusable jar can be a simple tool for bringing food from home, organizing a shared refrigerator, and preparing snacks or small meals ahead of time.

What fits?

A 16-ounce wide-mouth jar holds approximately 2 cups when filled to the brim. Leave room for the lid, mixing, and any foods that expand or release moisture.

Consider using it for:

  • Fruit, nuts, and seeds

  • Yogurt or dairy-free alternatives with toppings

  • Vegetables with a separate dip

  • Grain, bean, or pasta salads

  • Overnight oats or chia pudding

  • Cold noodle combinations

  • Leftovers and small prepared meals

Pack for the best texture

Keep crunchy ingredients away from moisture until you're ready to eat. Layer dressings underneath sturdy ingredients, and place delicate greens or toppings near the top.

For foods you plan to reheat, check that your specific container is approved for microwave use. Remove the lid, and avoid sudden temperature changes that could break glass.

Keep food safe

Wash your jar, lid, and accessories before using them.

Keep perishable foods refrigerated at 40°F or below. Use an insulated bag with a cold source when transporting them without refrigeration.

Most cooked leftovers should be refrigerated promptly and used within 3–4 days, although some foods require shorter storage periods.

Make it yours

Your jar can hold a snack, a side dish, part of a meal, or leftovers. The most useful choice is one that suits your appetite, schedule, preferences, and access to food storage.

Come back every Friday for new ideas, recipes, and practical tips.

Dr. Griffin McMath, ND

Dr. Griffin McMath, ND, is a registered naturopathic doctor, healthcare strategist, writer, and founder of Colorado Naturopathic House Calls. Her career spans clinical medicine, integrative oncology, nutrition, food systems, botanical medicine, scientific communication, public health, and professional advocacy.

Before attending naturopathic medical school at Bastyr University, Dr. McMath studied anthropology and global health, gaining international healthcare experience that informed her understanding of the cultural, environmental, economic, and social circumstances influencing health and healthcare decisions.


Her clinical experience includes serving as a naturopathic doctor and Program Administrator of Integrative Wellness at the Maryland Proton Treatment Center, in partnership with the University of Maryland's Center for Integrative Medicine and Department of Radiation Oncology. Her broader professional work has included academic healthcare, botanical medicine, nutrition education, and endurance sports and performance.

Dr. McMath previously served as Chief Content Officer and subsequently Chief Strategy Officer of The Paleo Diet®, leading work at the intersection of nutrition science, health literacy, public education, and food industry strategy. She also co-hosted Fast Talk, an endurance sports podcast exploring exercise physiology, nutrition, training, and athletic performance. Her food systems work includes participating as a panelist and speaker on the Non-GMO Project's Non-UPF Verified industry panel, contributing to discussions about food processing, ingredient integrity, verification standards, and consumer education.


Her professional leadership includes several years on the board of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians and longstanding service on the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians' Communications Committee. As Executive Editor at the Institute for Natural Medicine, she developed a profession-wide public education and communications training program for naturopathic medical students and physicians, preparing them to engage effectively with public, professional, and media audiences.


Her leadership began during medical school, when she became the first naturopathic medical student invited to serve on the board of the California Naturopathic Doctors Association. She was also the first naturopathic medical student to receive the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians' President's Award and received Bastyr University's Founders Award, named in honor of Les Griffith, ND.


Through Healthy From Home, Dr. McMath draws on her clinical training, experience in nutrition and food systems, and longstanding interest in the relationship between food, culture, health, and everyday life. She shares recipes, food science, shopping strategies, culinary inspiration, and evidence-informed guidance to help readers make informed decisions about what they eat, how they prepare it, and what works for their individual needs, preferences, and circumstances.

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Friday Drop 01: Build a Snack That Works for You