When you think of raw food do you imagine slices of carrot, cucumber and peppers laid out neatly on a plate with some dip on the side? Or a nice leafy salad? These are raw, yes, but the ‘living foods’ movement (an offshoot of veganism) takes the concept to a whole different level and with more people discovering the benefits of this diet, the raw foodists keep hitting the headlines.

The title ‘raw’ is a little misleading - ingredients can be lightly cooked as long as they don’t go over 48C - but the basis of the decision to stop cooking in the traditional way is the belief that it “destroys 50 per cent of the protein and between 50 and 80 per cent of all vitamins and minerals” of our food. Raw foodists claim significant health benefits such as weight loss, more energy and even reversal of symptoms of conditions like asthma, as Chad Sarno of raw restaurant Saf testifies.

“Gastronomy is the focus” for Sarno, whose aim is for Saf to “stand up to any top restaurant in London”. And why not? Must a dish contain meat, fish or dairy to be considered excellent? Must it be hot? What do you think?

Interested in finding out more? Vegan London has a page dedicated to raw food in the capital with restaurants (including Saf), juice bars, groups and information sources listed.

Have you tried raw food? Do you think the whole thing’s bonkers? We want to hear your opinions - get in touch in the comments below!

Photo credit: raw vegan cake by tunnelblick (CC License)

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