I was taught in 4th grade catholic school that eating meat on friday was a "venial" sin. I even confessed to the sin a few times. The priest never once told me not to worry about it cuz it isn't a sin. Matter of fact I probably wasted a few valuable seconds of my life reciting more than a few "Hail Mary full of grace help me a find a parking place prayers.
See my response (1703?) re: the sin issue.