College kitchens are tiny, but that shouldn’t stop you from filling yours with fun gadgets and long-lasting products. In college, it’s crucial to buy foods that have a long shelf life. Nobody wants to spend money on food that goes bad in two days. Here are five staples that every college kitchen needs to have in order to be healthy and cost efficient.

Keurig Brewing System

Brewing an entire pot of coffee takes more time than the typical college student has to spare in the morning. With the Keurig brewing system, you can have your daily cup of caffeine in less than three minutes - plus it’s much more cost-effective than spending $2-6 at your local coffee shop. K-cups come in fair trade and organic options as well, and if you’re not a coffee person, they also offer tea pods.

Food Processor

This gadget can be used for so many things. Don’t have enough space for a cutting board and knife set? The food processor has you covered. In the mood to make scrambled eggs, but don’t have the right tools? Not to worry - food processors make great egg whiskers. Craving fresh almond butter? Throw some almonds into the food processor and grind away. You can even put garbanzo means in there and make an unbelievable version of store-bought Mediterranean hummus. Needless to say, the opportunities when using a food processor are endless.

Spices

Spices are a great way to jazz a dish up. Having a nicely stocked spice cabinet is a serious game changer. Cinnamon is a great spice to sprinkle on top of fruit, yogurt and even in your coffee. It’s a metabolism booster, and it also helps regulate blood pressure. Paprika, onion powder, turmeric, ginger, and oregano are other delicious options to keep for seasoning your protein and vegetables. My favorite brand is 'Simply Organic' because they're the highest quality and you're bound to find a spice they offer that caters to your taste buds.

Ziploc Bags

Never underestimate the power of a Ziploc bag. On top of storing food, they can also be used for prepping your next meal. Time management is important for college students, and the last thing you want to do after a long day is wash, marinate and cook your dinner. Throw some chicken, olive oil, and spices into a Ziploc bag and allow the flavors to marinate for a few hours, or even a few days. By the time your ready for dinner, all of the mess will be enclosed in the bag and all you’ll need to do is preheat the oven.

Baking Soda

Keeping an open box of baking soda in your refrigerator can absorb moisture and odors, ultimately making your food last longer and smell better. Baking soda also kills mold spores before they have the chance to spread and cause contamination. One box is around $5, and the long term cost benefits far surpass the initial down payment.