Otto Carqué

Otto Heinrich Carqué (11 July 1866 – 9 January 1935) was an American businessman, fruit grower, naturopath, raw foodist, vegetarian and writer. He was the first to use the term natural food.

Biography

Carqué was born on 11 July 1866 in Wiesloch from Louis Carqué and Anna née Zentner both born in Alsace. He became a vegetarian before he was 28 and promoted the benefits of a vegetarian diet, exercise, fresh air and nude sunbathing. Carque has been credited as the first person to use the term "natural food" to refer to food that has not been adulterated or refined. His book Rational Diet: An Advanced Treatise on the Food Question was advertised and sold by the Defensive Diet League of America.

Carque was an early advocate of the alkaline diet and was concerned that people were in danger of excessive acidity. He argued that the main sources of alkalinity in the diet were fruits, including citrus fruits. Carque, Eugene Christian and George J. Drews are credited as founding the American raw food movement in the early 20th century.

Death

Carque died on January 9, 1935, from traffic accident injuries. In 1937, Carque's food manufacturing was sold by his wife.

Publications

Meat Eater Vs. Vegetarians (in: Physical Culture, 1902) The Folly of Meat Eating (1904) The Foundation of All Reform. A Guide to Health, Wealth, and Freedom. A Popular Treatise on the Diet Question (Chicago: Kosmos Publishing, 1904) Flesh Eating and War (in: Health Culture, 1917) Rational Diet. An Advanced Treatise on the Food Question (Los Angeles: Times-Mirror Press, 1923) Natural Foods: The Safe Way to Health (1925) The Key to Rational Dietetics (1926) Mrs. Carqué's Recipe Book (Los Angeles: Otto Carqué, 1928)