Human beings are not designed to be vegetarians. If we were, we'd have about 3 times as much length of intestines and would likely lack canine teeth. That said, I'm a vegetarian who eats seafood, eggs, and some dairy (pesco-ovo-lacto-vegetarian). I have two children and I permit them to eat meat in moderation. Children NEED protein!
If they decide to follow my diet plan I'll be pleased, otherwise I permit them Thanksgiving turkey, bologna, bacon (sometimes...), etc. They do not eat processed foods, packaged lunch foods, crappy packaged drinks, etc.

There is a very good discussion about vegetarianism somewhere here.

Cheers, Noel
across the endless sky we are deployed