To investigate the diet pattern and food intake of Shenzhen residents, assess the food safety risk as well as provide evidence for nutrition improvement, and provide further nutrition education.Methods Random stratified sampling was conducted to investigate 224 families (approximate 853 people) of their daily intake of food, condiments and fluids in 3 consecutive days. Results The average daily intake of food for Shenzhen resident was 1 496.6 g, including 299.2 g cereals, 583.5 g fruits and vegetables, 175.3 g poultry and red meat, 102.6 g seafood, 114.5 g dairy products, 39.9 g egg and products, 49.7 g soy products, 41.2 g oil and 8 g salt.Conclusion The average amount of cereal intake of Shenzhen residents was much lower than the average intake of those from the Guangdong area and the rest of the country. The average intake of other foods such as vegetables, fruits, poultry and other red meat, seafood, egg and soy products, milk and milk products and oil were much higher than the average intake of those from the Guangdong area and the rest of the country. This showed that the Shenzhen residents didn't follow the diet recommendations and leaded to an unbalanced diet. It should be emphasized that education was critical to guild the Shenzhen residents to a healthy lifestyles and nutritionally balanced diets.