THINK twice before you throw another dodgy snag on the barbie this weekend.

Australia's Healthy Weight Week, which is running this week, is encouraging Australia Day revellers to feast on healthy barbecue spreads this year, particularly women aged 18 to 25 who have the highest rate of weight gain in the country.

Health Management co-director and dietician Mitchell Smith, who is also the official dietician for the Cairns Taipans and Northern Pride, said over-indulging was easy to do during a celebration.

"We tend to get together for a barbecue, have a few drinks and eat snack foods for a few hours and then move on to lunch and dessert, which usually involves far too much meat, bread and pasta salads," he said.

Mr Smith said he believed it was vital for young women to live healthier lifestyles.

"If we can help younger generations eat healthily and keep active, we can reduce the risk of women developing chronic diseases or other issues," he said.

Cairns' Mr Meats butcher Michelle Petryszyn said there were plenty of healthy options available for the barbecue.

"Porterhouse steak, sirloin and rump are good and we use lean mince to make our rissoles," she said. 

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, about 35 per cent of Australian women aged 18-24 years are overweight or obese.

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