Abstract: Diet is absolutely necessary in the existence and development of mankind. Because of the differences between Chinese and western cultural traditions, the Chinese and western dietary cultures are different in concept, purpose, pattern, etc. About the foods conception this paper discusses the differences between the Chinese and Western food cultures from three aspects: first is the ecological view second is the nutrition idea and the last one is the cate idea. The research site of the dietary targets is the differences between what Chinese and Western people is eating in their daily lives. The differences between Chinese and Western foods cultures in dietary patterns are argued by different food systems and different eating tools. At the same time, the diet etiquette is one part in this paper to show the differences between Chinese and Western foods cultures. Study of these differences and the common points will facilitate the communications about cultures between China and the west. 

Key words: culture   diet    difference   communications

摘要：饮食是人类生活、生存与发展的必需，可是由于中西方文化传统的差异导致了中西方饮食文化在观念、对象、方式等方面产生了差异。其中在饮食观念方面，本文从生态观、营养观和美食观这三个方面对中西饮食文化的差异进行对比研究。饮食对象主要的研究点是中国人和西方人在日常生活中主要吃的是什么。而饮食方式则是通过进餐方式和进餐工具的差异来体现中西方饮食文化差异的。同时，本文也将饮食礼仪作为中西饮食文化差异研究的对象之一。希望通过以上方面的对比研究找出中西方在饮食文化方面可以融会贯通的地方，促进中西文化交流。

关键词：文化   饮食   差异   交流