A staple food is a basic but nutritious food that forms the basis of a traditional diet, particularly that of the poor. Although nutritious, staple foods generally do not by themselves provide a full range of nutrients, so other foods need to be added to the diet to prevent malnutrition.

Staple foods vary from place to place, but include:

• "corn", which can, depending on the locality, mean any of:
  • barley
  • maize
  • oats
  • rye
  • wheat
• bread made from any of the above, including:
  • tortillas
  • chapatis
  • naan
• cassava
• lentils
• millet
• noodles
  • pasta
• potatoes
• rice
• sorghum
• sweet potatoes
• teff
• yams

It has been hypothesised that some staple foods may act as a Giffen good in conditions of extreme poverty.