12 Foods Experts Say to Avoid If You Have Anxiety

"Soda contains both caffeine and artificial ingredients, two triggers for those living with anxiety," explained Appel. She warned that diet soda is not a good choice either, as it contains the artificial sweetener aspartame. "Aspartame can block the production of serotonin in our brains and may even trigger additional symptoms such as headaches and mood swings," she said.