Vegetarian Tried One Burger, Loved It So Much She Became A Butcher

From Vegetarian to Butcher: Tammi Jonas’ Journey

Tammi Jonas, a former long-time vegetarian, made a surprising shift in her lifestyle after a pregnancy craving changed everything. Living in Victoria, Australia, Tammi, who had been meat-free for years, suddenly craved a hamburger while expecting her third child. This craving was the first step in a big change that led her back to eating meat and even becoming a professional butcher.

A Vegetarian For Over 20 Years
Tammi had adopted a vegetarian diet at 19 after reading the influential book “Animal Liberation” by Australian philosopher Peter Singer. For years, she stuck to her vegetarian lifestyle, even during two pregnancies. But during her third pregnancy, she became severely anemic, and nothing helped. That’s when she wondered if eating meat might be the solution to her health issues.

The Burger That Changed Everything
Tammi recalls the moment clearly: “I was at work one day and just thought: ‘A burger would fix this.’” That one burger led her back to eating meat, starting with red meat like beef and lamb once a week. It wasn’t until later that she began to eat pork and poultry again. Tammi explained that her issue with meat wasn’t about eating animals, but rather how they were treated.

Returning to Agriculture
Growing up on a cattle ranch in Oregon, Tammi always had a connection to farming. After moving to Australia in the 1990s, she and her husband, Stuart, started a small farm in Victoria. They focused on raising pigs ethically, treating the animals well throughout their lives.

A New Approach to Meat
Tammi believes in producing meat ethically and sustainably. She’s committed to reducing the stress animals experience before slaughter. While still supporting vegetarian principles, she argues that we need better ways to eat on a planet with limited resources. She hopes farms like hers can help mitigate climate change. Tammi also critiques the growing plant-based meat industry, saying that farming with livestock can do more for the planet than vegan alternatives.