If these are in the room, you can eat
20 foods you should always have
Eggs through berries, then the cheap workhorses. Perishables are “buy local.” Shelf-stable stuff can be an Amazon search.
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Eggs
Breakfast, dinner, fried rice, sandwiches. Cheapest complete protein in the store.
Buy this at the store near campus.
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Chicken
One family pack becomes tacos, a bowl, and pasta. Buy it on sale and cook it the same day.
Buy this at the store near campus.
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Ground turkey
Chili, tacos, burgers. Usually cheaper than beef and still high protein.
Buy this at the store near campus.
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Tortillas
Wraps, quesadillas, tacos. A bag lasts a week in the fridge and saves you from buying bread every day.
Buy this at the store near campus.
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Pasta
Fills you up for about a dollar. Keep two boxes so empty-fridge nights still have a plan.
Search Amazon (opens Amazon)6 of 20
Rice
Bowls, fried rice, leftover chicken. A bag is cheaper than a week's worth of campus rice bowls.
Search Amazon (opens Amazon)7 of 20
Frozen vegetables
Already washed, already chopped, will not rot in your crisper. Broccoli, mixed veg, spinach — all fine.
Buy this at the store near campus.
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Greek yogurt
Breakfast bowls, smoothies, and a sour-cream stand-in on tacos. Get plain so you control the sugar.
Buy this at the store near campus.
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Shredded cheese
Makes eggs, potatoes, pasta, and tortillas taste like a real meal.
Buy this at the store near campus.
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Oatmeal
The backup breakfast when you have 4 minutes and $0.40.
Search Amazon (opens Amazon)11 of 20
Bananas
Snack, smoothie, oatmeal topper. Buy the slightly green ones so they last the week.
Buy this at the store near campus.
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Berries
Frozen is cheaper and they do not mold on Thursday. Breakfast bowls and smoothies.
Buy this at the store near campus.
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Olive oil
Cooking fat that is not mystery dining-hall grease. A bottle lasts a month of skillet meals.
Search Amazon (opens Amazon)14 of 20
Salt
Bland food is why people order takeout. You need this more than you need garlic powder.
Search Amazon (opens Amazon)15 of 20
Salsa
Instant flavor for eggs, bowls, potatoes, and chicken. No chopping, no recipe.
Search Amazon (opens Amazon)16 of 20
Bread
Egg sandwiches, melts, toast. Freeze half the loaf if you live alone.
Buy this at the store near campus.
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Potatoes
Microwave dinner that costs about a dollar. Keep a few on the counter.
Buy this at the store near campus.
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Canned beans
Protein and fiber that survive a power outage. Chili and burrito bowls start here.
Search Amazon (opens Amazon)19 of 20
Peanut butter
Toast, smoothies, emergency calories between classes. Shelf-stable and cheap per serving.
Search Amazon (opens Amazon)20 of 20
Spinach
Throws greens into pasta, eggs, and bowls without a salad recipe. Frozen chopped spinach counts.
Buy this at the store near campus.