Hey I have been vegan for about three years and am doing perfectly fine when it comes to getting all of my nutrients and minerals. I eat more than enough recommended protein, get all of my vitamins, minerals, and fats from eating just fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds. I actually used to be iron and protein deficient when I was eating a standard american diet. The reason why many people choose to eat a raw vegan diet is the enormous healing benefits and energy that you get as a result. I have gotten rid of my psoriasis, acne, and pms just from changing my diet. My boyfriend used to be severely depressed before he became raw. Although my farm is still in the works, I see no problem with surviving just off my land and still keeping my raw vegan diet.
Danny:
The problem most people have with wheat is that it contains gluten, which comes from the latin word for glue, and it is what binds the wheat together in order to make bread. It is a protein found in some grains. Have you ever taken a small piece of bread and rolled it up into a little ball? Well that is the work of the gluten. For most people it is very difficult to digest and therefore takes a lot of energy, making people feel tired and irritable. It literally gums up their intestines which results in a build up of bad bacteria that can eventually lead to many more health problems. Depending on where you live, gluten may not play a large factor in your wheat. In America gluten is added to many manufactured foods and our wheat is more or less contaminated with undigestable forms of gluten. That is why many Americans have gluten sensitivities. I think that the best way to see if you are affected by gluten is to cut it out of your diet for about two weeks and note how you feel then add it back in slowly and again note how you feel. If you notice any difference in your digestion, skin, or energy you probably have a gluten sensitivity.
You also said that you have had noticed an increase in pain in your shoulders and knees since you have been vegetarian. This might be a result of eating a high-wheat/high-gluten diet. The most noticeable thing that people have told me when they have avoided wheat and gluten in their diets is that they loose weight. People do tend to shed some weight, but the weight is usually not fat, it is the weight of the undigested gluten in your intestines and the inflammation that is a result of that. If your pain is a result of gluten, then it is the inflammation that is caused by the gluten that gives you so much pain.
I hope this helps
