Glad you found us over here, Blue Roads! Your mom is very lucky to have you looking out for her. I don't know what levels her blood sugar has been but I do know if she can stabilize it closer to what a non-diabetic's levels are, her health will benefit. Diabetes can damage several organs besides the kidneys (eyes, heart, circulation...) so this is why it's really important to do what we can to help ourselves.
First, it might seem tricky when there are food restrictions for both blood sugar and kidney problems but when a person gets used to it, it's smooth sailing. In general, all carbs like sugar, rice, potatoes, and food made from flour will raise blood sugar. So, staying with a small portion of protein, salads and vegetables will help keep blood sugar normalized.
People with kidney problems should avoid food with high potassium, phosphorus and protein, so that would mean to avoid dark colas, avocados, bananas, brown rice and orange juice. Bananas, rice and most fruit are high in carbs anyway so they are double whammies.
The following is from the website link in my signature. That website has lots of information about
blood sugar, food, studies, etc. And this is from a section on kidney disease:
/www.bloodsugar101.com/diabetic-kidney-diseaseIf your mom is on blood pressure meds, her doctor should know that the class of meds for high blood pressure called ACE Inhibitors actually protect the kidneys as they also control blood sugar. I am on benazepril for that reason.
I can tell you that kidney disease develops slowly in diabetics but when the blood sugar is kept as close to normal (what a non-diabetic's level is), then damage can really be kept at a minimum. As all people get older their kidney function starts to get lower but diabetes accelerates this. My own sister was told this year she has kidney disease. She has diabetes and has been under her doctor's care. However, the doctor follows what the ADA lists as acceptable blood sugar levels which according to several studies are too high. And now she's just one example that those guidelines will indeed lead to health complications.
I'm glad that you have found classes taught by a nephrologist. Those will help her understand how to eat for her kidney health. At the same time, she will need to be careful about
her blood sugar - which I explained above. She needs to cut out heavy carbs.
Is she on medication? What does she normally eat for meals?
I'm glad you posted!