I don't think that either the scientific nor medical communities can actually agree about anything in respect of diet. One minute something is good for you, the next it's killing you. People have to make their own, informed choices and do what they think is best for their children. Our Paediatrician saw us shopping in the Supermarket one day - he was with a friend. He introduced us to her and said "these are patients of mine", referring to the kids and then said "but I never see them - ever!" Gesturing to the shopping trolley, full of fruit & vegetables, he added "that's why!"
I'm not vegetarian, but I fully support my kids not eating meat. If, once they're a little older, they wish to do so, then I hope they choose ethically-raised, good quality produce. Right now, they pass every health check with flying colours & eat a fantastic range of vegetables. Many of their friends won't touch anything that isn't fizzy, fried, processed - least of all the green stuff :) Perhaps better to begin this way. The way I see it, obesity is a much bigger issue for overall health - especially children and, strangely, most vegetarian children fare much better in that respect.
Our good friend and neighbour raises cattle. He's exceptionally concerned for the environment and recycles the manure into a methane plant. They're only fed his own-grown, organic grain & hay. But, he has a huge problem with water. In the driest early summer in living memory in Italy, the well that supplies their drinking water has run dry. He's had to connect to a 'town supply'. Their demand he says is more than 40 litres per day per animal. The crops he grows to feed them need equally vast quantities of water. He says that the process of raising animals such as these is anything but environmentally friendly - regardless of his best efforts.
Hey there, @lifeworship. Just wanted to point out that it's the vegan diet, not vegetarian (which can include consumption of dairy, eggs, and sometimes even fish), that may lack certain nutritional elements such as B12 and DHA/EPA. However, our bodies produce all the K2 we need from our dietary K1 (e.g., what we get from kale), so no one needs to supplement with K2 as long as they eat enough plants. Regarding DHA/EPA, it is possible we can make all we need from eating things like walnuts and flaxseeds, but to be safe, vegans can supplement with an algae-derived (NOT fish-derived) EPA/DHA. Unfortunately, fish is too laced with heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants and saturated fat to call it a health food. And @andyturner, the only reason we're confused about nutrition is that the big food companies and USDA keep us that way, figuring that as long as we're confused, we'll keep eating salt, sugar, fat, and animal products. None of those things are healthy, but they do make food companies lots of $$. Let me know if you would like scientific references for more info, and I will post links.