Many people don't realize how unhealthy it is to stop at the drive-thru. Fast food can negatively affect you physically and emotionally. An average woman should have 1,600 to 2,400 calories per day. An average man should have 2,000 to 3,000 calories a day. Eating fast food regularly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. In a 15-year study, people who ate fast food at least 3 days a week gained 9.9 pounds of body weight, compared to a person who ate once a week . Most fast food meals are high and low in fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables help balance a high-fat meal, helping to reduce harmful effects on blood vessels. According to studies, within 3-5 hours of eating a high-fat meal, blood vessels function normally. For some people this can cause a heart attack or stroke. Fast food can lead some people to depression compared to people who consume little or no fast food. According to studies, the more fast food you eat, the greater the risk