Grocery stores also have picked up on the growing market for gluten-free foods. Ukrop's has a gluten-free section, and Whole Foods Market has a bakery in North Carolina that supplies gluten-free products to Whole Foods stores throughout the country.

The women in the gluten-free group, however, still say they have to order some things from abroad if they want them to taste normal, such as gluten-free pasta from Italy. They also must be especially careful not to take medicines, such as aspirin, that contain gluten.

Peterjohn and Kupper both teach people about gluten finding its way into foods because of cross-contamination. An example of cross-contamination is using the same fryer to make gluten-free french fries and a breaded blooming onion.

Maurer, the North Stafford woman, is still adjusting to life without bread and pizza. But she has a positive outlook about her disease.

"It is a major life change, but if you have the right attitude, you can get over it," she said.

To reach JESSICA SCHONBERG: 540/374-5000, ext. 5661
Email: jschonberg@freelancestar.com