They might be able to whip up a sponge, but new research suggests Kiwi kids aren't being taught how to cook healthy main meals.

A Massey University study commissioned by the Heart Foundation has found only one in 10 teachers choose to teach a meal based on the fruit and vegetable content.

Heart Foundation food and nutrition manager Dave Monro told Mike Hosking a lot of what's taught at the moment involves cakes, muffins, and desserts.

"We'd like to see a bit of a shift towards preparing and planning a main meal with lots of vegetables, particularly the way it's taught," he said.

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