George J. Drews

George Julius Drews (January 20, 1873 - October 17, 1945) was a German American naturopath and writer associated with the natural hygiene and raw food movements.

Biography

Drews was one of the pioneers of the raw foodism movement in America. Drews authored the vegetarian raw food book Unfired Food and Tropho-Therapy in 1912. Drews argued that mans natural diet should consist of uncooked fruits, cereals, herbs, nuts and roots.

Drews invented a Greek-based nomenclature for his raw foodism and founded the Apyrtropher Society in Chicago. He hosted lectures and meetings about Apyrtrophy. His agenda was to convert people to eating only uncooked food, spread the practice of eating vegetables in their natural state and oppose the use of the gas stove. It was described as a cult by critics.

Drews influenced John and Vera Richter to open America's first raw food restaurant "The Eutropheon" in 1917.

Personal life

Drews married Elizabeth Bristle in September, 1911. She originally weighed 119 pounds which was a fair weight for her stature. Influenced by Drews, she embraced a strict raw food diet and a daily menu plan that he had created. The diet consisted of fruit juice, water, vegetable salads, nuts, fruit, herbs, honey and raw potatoes.

Selected publications

Unfired Foods and Hygienic Dietetics (1909) Unfired Food and Tropho-Therapy (1912) The Improved Mono-Diet (1921)