Despite skeptics voicing their concerns over the raw food movement, it still lives on indefinitely. This lifestyle of consuming uncooked and unprocessed foods continues to be a popular way of eating amongst those seeking a cleaner, healthier lifestyle.

Many advocates suggest a raw food diet to reap medical benefits (weight loss, improved digestion, increased energy, etc.) and to fight cancer. But medical experts like Dr. Andrew Weil has argued that certain nutrients can only be derived from cooked foods (lycopene from cooked tomatoes). He even cautioned that natural toxins in certain edible roots and stems are not destroyed if consumed in its raw form.

Nevertheless, places, like Cafe Gratitude in Northern California which expanded to five locations, have drawn a cult following and trendy places, like NYC's Pure Food and Wine, have turned raw foods into an upscale dining experience.

The results are pretty impressive, whether you can stick to this diet or not. Folks who convert to it can alter their body images in a dramatic fashion. If you're guaranteed to lose inches and inches of fat, would you consider this diet? Or would you still be tempted by the big juicy steak and fries?

Other Food News Across The Web:
- Anthony Bourdain's new season of No Reservations starts this week.
- Pickled foods draws plenty of fermentation aficionados.
- Hip, hot and full of meat: young butcher stars on the food scene.
- Female chefs Traci Des Jardins and Loretta Keller go wild boar hunting in Mongolia.
- Recent James Beard winner Nate Appleman is leaving his restaurants SPQR and A16.