To be sick of wasting food and having no idea what snacks to buy for 11 year old?

I think most 11 yo should be able to cook something simple on the hob or in the oven or toaster, if there’s an adult in the house and they know what to do if they do accidentally burn themselves.

But some pre cooked chicken
Wraps
Salad
Sauces

She can assemble her own wraps

I forgot MNers couldn’t possibly eat a whole apple! Far too filling.

What exactly are snacks?
Either she is getting 3 meals a day, that are nutritious and filling or she is not, which leave her hungry.
I would look at the 3 meals first, but would only have fruit available for "in between". Also make sure that food given at mealtimes needs to be chewed well (what was the rule, 25 chews per mouthful?) as this stimulates not only the digestive process, but also the feeling of being full. Ensure enough drinks are being taken, water counts as a drink, no need for any additions unless a slice of lemon or lime or a squirt of fruit juice.
The idea that people have to be "grazing" constantly is marketing from the UPF sector.

I personally don’t always want a whole apple, especially if I’m having it with cheese!

I understand the OP's child has autism which puts a different perspective on it. But, why are parents so obsessed with snacks these days. I had three meals a day as a child (always had evening meal with my parents and ate whatever they were having). There was always a fruit bowl available and an occasional bag of crisps or maybe a biscuit but that was it. Snacking seems to be a way of life for kids.

Why would you need to slice apples and store them? My kids just grab an apple and eat it.

Yoghurts, cereal bars, malt loaf, fruit, Cheese and crackers, hummus and crackers,

I am not really into people snacking/grazing constantly. It's just boredom and most kids like "snacks" because they tend to be easy carby convenience food rather than healthy veg or protein. If i wanted my kids to be independent about food I'd encourage them to cook simple meals for the family. At 11 they should easily be able to use the hob & oven with light supervision.

If they absolutely must have something I'd suggest crudites and hummous, teach her to make the hummous from scratch with chickpeas, onion, tahini, lemon juice & garlic and olive oil.

Better to focus on cooking actually healthy meals.

I just send them to the Co-Op with my debit card.

The “reach into the fridge and pull out something when hungry” is a common thing and is pure laziness. Life doesn’t work that way unless they (say) boil and peel eggs and put them in a tupperware box themselves: slice apples and store them; make their own mini pots of yogurt and berries etc. Resisting independence is age appropriate laziness and they’re not too old to understand that food doesn’t magically appear in the fridge. Let them go hungry if necessary to learn that lesson.

The situation at school with noise and overwhelm is completely different. I would be asking if something could be done to figure this out: a side room to eat in? An earlier lunchtime? A child really shouldn’t be going the whole school day without eating, it’s not good for them mentally or physically.

I think the best thing to do is take them to a supermarket to browse the snacks together. Probably not when you're doing your main shop. Then you and they might see things you haven't thought of before.

What sort of food do they like to eat? If you buy food they like, it’s not going to go to waste.

Best thing to do is to ask your child so you’re not wasting stuff.

Mine were using the hob and hot water by secondary school so could quickly make some noodles, popcorn etc.

The replies saying that 11 year olds shouldn’t be using a hob or knives unsupervised are insane imo. Unless there’s a reason like SN, they should be able to make simple food like a sandwich or make some pasta pesto or whatever. Year 7 Food Tech involves involves using a hob, oven and knives which are skills that kids should have by then but you obviously know your child best and if they are going to burn down the house or whatever then it will have to be something easy like crisps.

FWIW my kids (boys and girl) were doing things like making a cake from scratch and taking it out the oven in year 5. They never burned the house down and always took it out the oven. Unlike some of their friends, they were always encouraged to build independence skills like taking a bus without me.

It’s crazy! It’s the pre sliced cheese that got me! No grater of knife?

My dd has just turned 12 now but probably since 10 has been making simple pasta dishes on the hob alongside making noodles with the kettle, heating things in the microwave and using the air fryer. Crazy to assume they must need adult supervision for a simple task at 11. I’d assumed you only had toddlers so couldn’t imagine it yet but see you actually have an adult dc which is more surprising. @Ineedtocheckmylist

@Ineedtocheckmylist

you wouldn’t trust an 11 year old to cut cheese?? Why?!

buy ready made puff pastry. They can make pizza rolls with a bit of tomato puree, herbs and mozarella or easy cinnamon pastries with cinnamon sugar spread over eggwashed pastry. Bung in the oven for 8-10 mins.

Wtf?! The kids are teenagers

That's crazy. I was baking cakes without parental supervision at age 10. When my children were age 2½ until they started school they were to a playgroup where they had to spread their own marmite or soft cheese on crackers at snack time. Obviously just with a butter knife but come on! Age 11, either at secondary or about to start, and you wouldn't let them heat up some baked beans or boil a kettle?