汉语基础

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）。