Items such as utilities, rent, and food—items that one can’t do without.

The answer is needs. It would be defined as goods or services that are required. This would comprise the needs for food, clothing, shelter and health care. Wants, on the other hand, are goods or services that are not necessary but these are wanting we desire or wish for. For instance, one needs clothes, but one may not need designer clothes. One needs food but does not have to have steak or dessert.