DAREBIN is poised to take the title of Melbourne's vegan capital.

In the past four years at least six new vegetarian and vegan businesses have popped up across the municipality, signalling that the animal product-free diet may be becoming more mainstream.

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In Preston last month alone, two businesses opened catering to solely plant-based diets - Mad Cowgirls vegan grocery and "pay as you feel" vegetarian restaurant Lentil as Anything opened on High St.

They joined vegan bakery La Panella, famed for its soy "sausage" rolls, and Disco Beans, a vegan restaurant which last year relocated to Plenty Rd after three years in Northcote.

In Northcote, vegetarian raw food restaurant Shoko Iku opened last year on High St, joining four-year-old Veggie Kitchen on St Georges Rd and Thornbury's Mama Roots cafe.

Vegan Australia spokesman Bruce Poon said the new businesses demonstrated growing demand for vegan market.

Twenty years ago veganism was almost unheard of, but "now it's very acceptable and everyone caters for it."

"I think Melbourne is probably the vegan capital of Australia …. Brunswick and Darebin certainly caters best for vegetarians and vegans," Mr Poon said.

Vegetarian Victoria president Mark Doneddu said veganism was "the fastest growing food trend in the world", with 2.5 per cent of the US population now vegan.

He said social media was largely behind the rise, as was championing by celebrities like Bill Clinton, Al Gore and Beyonce.

Mr Doneddu said some people turned vegan because they were unhappy with the way farm animals were treated; others did so to improve their health or care for the environment.

Mad Cowgirls owner Beri Lord said veganism was a lifestyle choice.

"It's not just about what you eat it's about choosing compassion over cruelty. We have nothing in our shop that contains animal products or has been tested on animals."

Dietitians Association of Australian spokeswoman Lisa Renn said vegans could stay healthy long term as long as they ensured an adequate intake of protein, zinc, Omega 3 fats, calcium, vitamins B12 and D.

"It does take a lot of extra thought and planning not to use any animal products at all. It is definitely not something people just leap into," Ms Renn said.

"If we're thinking about protein sources you must include legumes, dried peas beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, soy products and wholegrain breads and cereals."

FAST FACTS:

Vegans do not eat animal products such as meat, dairy, honey and gelatine

Vegans do not wear leather or fur and avoid products that are tested on animals

Vegans should consider vitamins B12 and D supplements

Advocates say a vegan diet can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer