主食是指传统上餐桌上的主要食物，也是人类维系生命所需能量的主要来源。由于主食是碳水化合物（特别是淀粉）的主要摄入源，因此以淀粉为主要成分的稻米、小麦、玉米等谷物，以及马铃薯、甘薯等块茎类食物被不同地域的人当作主食。一般来说，主食中多含有碳水化合物。
Staple food refers to the main food on the traditional table, and is also the main source of energy required for human life. Since staple food is the main source of intake of carbohydrates (especially starch), rice, wheat, corn and other grains with starch as the main component, as well as tuber foods such as potatoes and sweet potatoes are regarded as staple foods by people in different regions. Generally speaking, the staple food contains more carbohydrates.
对于中国人来说，由于气候和地势的原因：北方人过去主食为各类面食（气候干燥，麦类更适宜生长），直到今日除东北外，大部分北方地区人们仍更青睐面食。东北人主食为米食和玉米（河流多，土壤肥沃，抗寒水稻及玉米适宜种植）。南方人主食为米食（南方河流多，适宜种植水稻）。
For the Chinese, due to the climate and topography: the staple food of northerners used to be various types of pasta (the climate is dry, wheat is more suitable for growth), until today, except for the Northeast, people in most northern regions still prefer pasta. The staple food of Northeast people is rice and corn (there are many rivers, the soil is fertile, cold-resistant rice and corn are suitable for planting). The staple food of southerners is rice (there are many rivers in the south, suitable for planting rice).
谷类和薯类是中国人民主要的能量来源，我们每一餐都离不开米饭、馒头、大饼、面条或者其他谷类、薯类制品。在农村，这些谷类食物占到居民一日三餐提供能量的80%以上，而城市居民也超过50%。
Cereals and potatoes are the main source of energy for the Chinese people. We cannot do without rice, steamed buns, flatbreads, noodles or other cereal and potato products in every meal. In rural areas, these cereals account for more than 80% of the energy provided by residents’ three meals a day, while urban residents also account for more than 50%.
主食是指组成当地居民主要能量来源的食物，对我们中国人来说即是谷类作物。例如大米、白面、玉米及其制品，有的地方薯类也是主食的一部分。
Staple food refers to the food that constitutes the main source of energy for local residents. For us Chinese, it is cereal crops. For example, rice, white flour, corn and their products, and potatoes in some places are also part of the staple food.