Participants of Deliciously Raw Chef Level One Training. Photo: Dawn Langley

Whether you are considering a raw food lifestyle, curious or a raw food enthusiast - or are seeking some inspiration to get back onto a raw track, it can help to watch other people’s journeys to help propel you forwards. After all, we all love a ‘before and after’ story don’t we?

Here’s my compilation of the films that I return to when I need a bit of raw food inspiration. I’ve also added a few other films that I’ve discovered (and I can’t remember if I’ve watched them or not – I certainly haven’t watched the German language one).

If you are seeking a path to health and vitality, the world of raw food cinema offers an inspiring look at the power of living cuisine. In these must-watch films, you'll encounter tales of the challenges that most encounter on a raw food lifestyle, personal triumph, together with eye-opening research, that will challenge the way you think about food and its profound impact on our bodies, minds, and the environment.

Whatever your jam is, whether it’s a green juice and some kale crisps, or a warm chai latte accompanied by raw brownie or a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a packet or crisps, grab your drink of choice and sink into your sofa and watch these films to discover more about the beauty of uncooked, unprocessed foods. It encapsulates a movement where every meal is an act of self-love and rebellion against the conventional culinary norm. I hope these films will feed your soul and inspire you to feed your body with good stuff.

Most are available to watch on either Netflix, Amazon Prime (via Gaia), Tubi, Hulu or Google Movies. Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days is available as a DVD.

1. Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead (2010)

This film documents the journey of Australian Joe Cross who, suffering from an autoimmune disease and overweight, embarked on a 60-day juice-fast while traveling across the U.S. His transformation to improved health, and the impact Cross's journey had on others, advocates the healing power of whole, raw fruits, and vegetables.

Director: Joe Cross, Kurt Engfehr. Film Company: Gravitas Ventures

2. Food Matters (2008)

This documentary promotes the philosophy that you are what you eat. It provides compelling evidence of the power of a raw, plant-based diet and natural therapies in treating chronic illnesses. Top nutritionists and natural healing experts make a case for treating the cause of diseases instead of the symptoms.

Director: James Colquhoun, Carlo Ledesma. Film Company: Permacology Productions

3. Forks Over Knives (2011)

Highlighting extensive research by nutritional scientists Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, this film makes an undeniable case for adopting a plant-based, raw diet to combat obesity, diabetes and heart disease. It includes inspiring testimonials from people who have experienced health transformations through changing their diet.

Director: Lee Fulkerson. Film Company: Monica Beach Media

4. May I be Frank (2010)

Following the story of 54-year-old Frank Ferrante, this documentary details his transformation from a drug and alcohol addict with no purpose, to a vibrant healthy man. Over 42 days, Frank works with the staff at vegan raw-food restaurant, Café Gratitude, changing his diet, thought patterns, lifestyle and essentially, his life. The result is both inspiring and emotional, showing the power of food and positive thinking.

Directors: Cary Mosier, Ryland Engelhart, Conor Gaffney. Film Company: Café Gratitude

5. Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days" (2009)

This film is also known as "Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days". It chronicles six Americans battling diabetes who, under a doctor's supervision at the Tree of Life in Arizona, switch to a diet consisting entirely of vegan, organic, and uncooked food in order to reverse the disease without pharmaceutical medication.

Directors: Aiyana Elliott, Kathy Close. Film Company: Raw for Life

6. Supercharge Me! 30 Days Raw (2006)

Inspired by the weight loss documentary "Super Size Me," filmmaker Jenna Norwood takes the idea in a healthier direction by eating only raw foods for 30 days. The documentary follows her journey as she explores the raw food lifestyle and achieves transformative health results, such as weight loss, improved vision, and increased energy.

Director: Jenna Norwood. Film Company: Vision Earth Society

8. The Gamechangers (2018)

The Game Changers tells the story of James Wilks — elite Special Forces trainer and The Ultimate Fighter winner — as he travels the world on a quest to uncover the optimal diet for human performance. The film follows the journey of several elite plant-based athletes and the advantages of the vegan diet. The film is produced by James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Pamela Anderson, Lewis Hamilton, Novak Djokovic, Rip Esselstyn, Jackie Chan and Brendan Brazier.

Director: Louie Psihoyos. Film company: Diamond Docs

9. The Magic Pill (2017)

This documentary presents the ketogenic or low-carb high-fat diet, which includes raw, natural foods, to manage health problems. Although it does not particularly focus on raw food, it advocates minimally processed, whole food sources, suggesting potential improvements or even 'cures' for conditions like cancer, autism, and heart disease. Although it has faced some criticism, it reaffirms the importance of food choices for overall health.

Director: Robert Tate. Film Company: Magic Pill Pty Ltd.

10. Raw for Life: The Ultimate Encyclopaedia of the Raw Food Lifestyle (2007)

This educational DVD is an excellent resource for anyone interested in starting a raw food lifestyle. The film compiles personal stories from leading raw food proponents, along with recipes, nutritional facts, and meal planning tips, all aimed at promoting healthy living.

Directors: Aiyana Elliott, Kathy Close. Film Company: Vision Films

11. Raw Food for Life: Serving Love & Knives (2016)

The documentary centres on the journey of couples that treat their cancers and take charge of their health leveraging the power of a raw food diet.

Unable to find the Director or Film Company. Please let me know if you know it.

12. Eating You Alive (2016)

This film features several case studies of people who have chronic diseases, obesity, and more, and dramatically change their health course by switching to a whole food plant-based diet, a subset of which would be raw food.

Director: Paul David Kennamer Jr. Film Company: Garden Fresh Media

13. Beautiful Truth (2008)

Raised on a wildlife reserve in Alaska, 15-year-old Garrett sets out to investigate Dr. Max Gerson's claims of a diet with a focus on a specific plant-based diet, raw juices, and natural supplements can ‘support the treatment of cancer’. Garrett's findings are revealed from his road trip across both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, meeting with scientists, doctors, and cancer survivors to learn about an alternative path to treating cancer.

Director: Steve Kroschel. Film Company: Cinema Libre Studio

14. Raw, the Documentary (2010)

Raw, the Documentary offers a deep look into the lives of those who have turned to a raw food diet to change their health and lives. This documentary sheds light on how the raw food lifestyle is beneficial to our body's natural healing mechanisms and overall health, based on individual stories and interviews.

Director: Maryanne Egan, Geoshea Wright. Film Company: Egan Productions Pty. Ltd.

15. The Raw Natural (2013)

The Raw Natural examines various aspects of raw food, natural healing, and human potential. The documentary uncovers often overlooked specifics about diet and exercise and explores insights into the connection between our biophysics and the environment.

Director: Richard Widgery. Film Company: Maverick Entertainment Group

16. Rawsome! (2014)

This is a German-language film revolving around the benefits of vegan raw food for fitness. It shares amazing before-and-after stories, as well as recipes and tips.

Director: Markus Rothkranz

What have I missed? Have any raw food films inspired you? I’d love to know so I can add them here. Happy watching.

If you need any further support, guidance or inspiration, head on over to the Deliciously Raw Academy. There are lots of courses – from free classes through to a full Raw Chef Diploma. Also come and say hello in the FB group Deliciously Raw Kitchen Hangout. We are a friendly bunch.

Raw Food Films That Could Transform Your Life