I wonder what they'll say in response to my enquiry?

Sent via email to Amtrak:

"I'm contemplating another trip, one that will involve a sleeper on the Capitol Limited or Cardinal. However, I am a diabetic. There is no possible way I can eat anything of the sleeping car breakfast with the new menu as everything on it has loads of sugar. In the past, I would eat an omelet, skipping the potatoes and the bread. The new menu means I can't eat a breakfast I am paying for as part of my fare and Amtrak offers no alternative. Unless the breakfast comes with a vial of insulin, I would need a "diabetic menu". Do you intend to offer such things to your passengers or should I count on being dropped off at the nearest town where an ambulance can meet the train?"

Doesn't Amtrak offer special dietary meals, if ordered in advance? I don't know the answer...just asking...

railiner said:

Doesn't Amtrak offer special dietary meals, if ordered in advance? I don't know the answer...just asking...

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With the exception of Kosher, doesn't sound like much is offered for special dietary needs. No mention of diabetic-friendly offerings.

Amtrak does not offer meals specifically designated as low fat, low cholesterol, low sodium, gluten free, wheat free or peanut free. Most dinner entrees are not prepared on the dining car. The fat, cholesterol, sodium, gluten, wheat and peanut content may vary, and cannot be controlled or modified by the chef. Certain menu items are inherently low in fat, cholesterol and/or sodium and may be ordered from the regular menu. The waiter or lead service attendant can provide guidance.

https://www.amtrak.com/onboard/meals-dining/special-menus-special-dietary-requirements.html

Being a diabetic and raising a juvenile diabetic, we often had to adjust to offerings when we traveled. If you are an insulin diabetic, the amount of insulin you are currently taking allows for a certain amount of complex carbs. juices and fruits are simple carbs with immediate spikes in sugar levels so does the yogurt have fruit or is it flavored, but it still have probably 23 carbs.which is acceptable. The breads are complex carbs, but I am sure one slice will be lower in sugars, so could be the second carb serving. True, there is no egg or meat for protein so an adjustment in the insulin, maybe one additional unit, if on meds, then an additional 1/2 pill depending on your dependence on the med verses pancreas production. True the breakfast is not ideal, but for typical diabetics, a meal traveling is pick and choose mixed with adjusting insulin. Nothing to be concerned about if properly managed.

Lonestar648 said:

True the breakfast is not ideal, but for typical diabetics, a meal traveling is pick and choose mixed with adjusting insulin. Nothing to be concerned about if properly managed.

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How about people who are not yet diabetics but would like to avoid becoming yet another statistic? It's perfectly reasonable for passengers to anticipate being fed on overnight journeys and in 2018 it makes sense to expect Amtrak to provide healthy meals that aren't overly sugared, salted, or otherwise processed. We're talking about an already massive and growing health problem that would probably be called an pandemic in any other context.

You also need the percentage of those diagnosed, who still want the carbs, the sugar, those 32oz sodas. At least from what I have personally experienced, at least half diagnosed don't accept it. Yes meals ideally need to be more nutritious, lower on the sugars, etc., but then you have the part of the general public that is clamoring for more sugar. We taught our daughter not to be different, but to handle moderation and maybe skip over a few things, like the icing on a piece of cake, or the breading on something fried. Eating smart, but looking as normal as possible, especially for a teen girl. If Amtrak truly cared about everyone's health the menu would be very different.

You made a good enquiry, but sending Amtrak emails will get you nowhere.

I suggest you instead write to the Board of Directors and President of Amtrak by certified mail:

https://www.amtrak.com/board-of-directors

I'd ask for some boiled eggs while you're at it -- point out that they're available cold at nearly every supermarket or deli in Chicago, DC, and New York.

Next step is to forward your letter to an appropriate news outlet; I'm not sure what the best choices are. (Anyone got the right newspaper/magazine reporter links? I'm going to be doing this myself, so I'd appreciate any ideas regarding which media outlets to contact.)

Amtrak's answer after 2+weeks:

Dear <redacted>,

Thank you for your comments regarding our Contemporary Dining service on the Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited routes. Unfortunately, the new dining service does not have a special menu. Please be assured that customer comments will play an important role in how we offer our service and we will take your valuable feedback into consideration as we make future changes to the dining experience on our trains. Thank you for taking the time to write to us and we hope to see you on board soon.

Once again, thank you for contacting us.

Sincerely,

Samir B.

Amtrak Customer Relations

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I am absolutely sure "we will take your valuable feedback into consideration as we make future changes to the dining experience on our trains". Absolutely!

I can see the Trash icon on their computers. Must be getting overfilled.

A simple solution would be to offer a voucher for something in the cafe car to sleeper passengers who do not want to eat what Amtrak offers for their sleeper passengers. It seems so simple but I'm sure Amtrak has never considered it. At least the cafe car meals are hot.

benale said:

A simple solution would be to offer a voucher for something in the cafe car to sleeper passengers who do not want to eat what Amtrak offers for their sleeper passengers. It seems so simple but I'm sure Amtrak has never considered it. At least the cafe car meals are hot.

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me_little_me said:

Amtrak's answer after 2+weeks:

Dear <redacted>,

Thank you for your comments regarding our Contemporary Dining service on the Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited routes. Unfortunately, the new dining service does not have a special menu. Please be assured that customer comments will play an important role in how we offer our service and we will take your valuable feedback into consideration as we make future changes to the dining experience on our trains. Thank you for taking the time to write to us and we hope to see you on board soon.

Once again, thank you for contacting us.

Sincerely,

Samir B.

Amtrak Customer Relations

Click to expand...

I am absolutely sure "we will take your valuable feedback into consideration as we make future changes to the dining experience on our trains". Absolutely!

I can see the Trash icon on their computers. Must be getting overfilled.

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See, I told you. Try again, but this time SEND A CERTIFIED LETTER to Anderson and another to Coscia.

I promise you, you'll get a different response. A certified-mail letter is essentially a lawsuit threat, and they know it. It helps if you mention the words "accomodations" and "disability" in the letter.