The ol' YMMV, in spades

May I ask how your mother was able to eat those foods even on oral meds? I use insulin, and although I do occasionally eat bread, I eat pasta once a year and am always sorry even for that indulgence. It simply isn't something that my body can handle even with insulin. Her mom is undoubtedly less insulin resistant. Or exercises more. Or her disease has not progressed as far as yours. Or all of the above. I dunno, there are lots of possible answers to that "why her and not me" question. The ol' YMMV, in spades.

If she was able to control her BGs with oral meds while still indulging in those starchy carbs, she's doing quite well. Most people can't. Even those like me, on insulin. Everyone has to learn what they can and cannnot eat, whether diet and exercise controlled, on some combo of oral meds, and/or insulin (lucky insulin users, we get to use all three methods of control, simultaneously! ) I often look at certain foods and think to myself, "Y'know, there's not enough insulin in the *world* to take care of that if I eat it." We all have to eat to our own individual meters.

All I can tell you is my mom doesn't eat huge portions, she takes her meds religiously, no she is NOT exercising, just the usual 78 yr old who can clean, shop, wash, etc...and her a1c has always been 6 or below (on the meds).....I even asked her to test 2 hrs after eating a plate of pasta and a pudding (regular) for dessert, it was right around 120, so shes doing really well. I can only hope to follow in her footsteps. I believe that what Judy said is probably true, she may not be as insulin resistant as some others. I think we are all different that way.
my mom has to make puddings and things like that especially for my 83 yr old dad who is not diabetic but eats very little.