Food Allergy - Socially unacceptable?

Gobble Gobble Gobble... No, I'm not role-playing ... I'm describing my food allergy. YuP! That's it! You've got it! Turkey! I'm horribly allergic to it. The more of it I consume, the more severe the digestive upset. Been allergic since I was a kid. My parents didn't serve it often at the dinner table, but we had it a few times for Thanksgiving. It wasn't discovered until a few times in a row eating it and Mom & Dad staying up with me all night after I had some. Took it off the menu, and I could over-eat all kinds of other goodies at the T-day table without issue. I've learned to cook & serve ham or cornish hens for the holiday, and avoid the lunchmeat, turkey-bacon, and other various "gobble gobble" consumables.

However, I've got a co-worker who must think I'm not seriously allergic. For example, last year, at Thanksgiving, our lab gathered up a list of "who will bring what" for a little Thanksgiving luncheon. This co-worker asked that we all "pitch in a few dollars to buy a turkey that we could cook here in our kitchen." I told her I would add to the funds, but not be eating it because of my allergy. I asked if a small amount of the funds could be used to get a small ham cutlet. I was promptly told, "no! if you want ham, buy it yourself", but I was also expected to donate to the turkey-fund. I was upset by her reaction, but more annoyed by the follow-up. She proceeded to tell everyone in the lab about my issue, and it turned into a huge joke, which I was badgered about for almost a month. I ended up not participating in the luncheon at all, packing my own normal lunch & going to another lab to eat that day. I was mortified - how could someone make such a huge drama about a real issue, rather than just barely help to accomodate it?

It gets better - just last week, she & another lab person cooked breakfast taquitos for everyone. I wandered into the kitchen, asked if I could help, and was told "no need". Great, I thought ... I'll get back to my office & continue working until we're ready. I started to eat the bacon, egg, & potato taco... when just for giggles, I asked the co-worker, "Mrs XX, there isn't any turkey in this taco, is there?" She responded, "yeah, I hate pork bacon, and I bought the turkey because it tastes better." I had already had a few bites, so I took the remaining bacon out of the taco, and walked out of the room. I spent the next 4 hours in & out of the restroom. I told her later that morning, "I wish you had said something sooner. I wouldn't have eaten. Please try to be more sensitive." She responded, "Don't say that! Just be confident you won't get sick, and you won't! Pray more and it won't happen!" By then, I had been to the restroom 3 times already, which continued well after lunch.

Does anyone else have a food allergy that impacts their workplace? How do you deal with it? I don't want to make a scene everytime I eat at work, and I have been chastised already for "not always participating in lab group activities, and not being a team player when we gather up for extra things, like meals". It would be easier to just not eat with the group, but since that isn't an option, how do I best "participate" without spending the day in the potty??