Top 10 Tech Stories From January

Drones scan for rhino poachers, self-repairing wires, hedgehog robots on the moon, disillusionment with gadgets, make a battery with pennies, and more!

Top 10 Tech Stories From January

Must-Read Cleantech Stories from January 28-February 1, 2013

Tech news from around the web that you don’t want to miss.

Must-Read Cleantech Stories from January 28-February 1, 2013

Nissan to Build 500 EV Fast-Charge Stations in U.S. Within 18 Months

There are currently only about 160 fast-charge stations for electric vehicles in the U.S., but Nissan plans to triple that number over the next 18 months by building at least 500 quick-charge stations.

Nissan to Build 500 EV Fast-Charge Stations in U.S. Within 18 Months

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu Steps Down

Steven Chu, who is no doubt one of the best Energy Secretaries ever, is announcing that he is stepping down. We thank him for fighting the good fight for nature and science.

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu Steps Down

Is Subway Really Healthy?

There are more subway restaurants around the world than McDonalds (37,000+ and counting!) – and the chain has done a great job of positioning their menu as the healthy alternative to fast food. With a slogan of “eat fresh” and advertising campaigns built around losing weight and eating smarter (remember Jared?), it begs the question: Is Subway really that healthy?

I once heard someone compare eating at Subway versus McDonalds to jumping off the 30th floor instead of the 40th. It’s an apt analogy. Either way, the outcome is still going to be the same. In this instance, a larger waistline is the likely result.

Of course, some Subway sandwiches are healthy. For instance, I’ve opted for a six inch Veggie Sandwich on whole wheat topped with grilled chicken and no condiments. It’s low in unhealthy fats, high in good carbs and protein and loaded up with essential nutrients.

But then there are sandwiches like the foot long Big Philly Cheese Steak, Chicken and Bacon Ranch, Meatball Marinara or Tuna Sandwich – all of which clock in with nearly a thousand calories. It’s also worth distinguishing between low fat and healthy. With a respectable 9 grams of fat, Subway’s Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki Sandwich is positioned as low fat. But it still has a whooping 760 calories. And then there’s all the sodium found in deli meats.

For anyone trying to eat smarter, these sandwiches can do some real damage.

If you do want to eat at Subway, be mindful of portions, calories, sodium and fat. Steer clear of cheese, mayo, creamy dressings or any other unhealthy toppings. Order your sandwich on whole wheat bread and go for six inches rather than the foot long.

The bottom line: Regardless of the restaurant, the lesson here is to look past the marketing hype. Just because a food is positioned, advertised or labeled with alleged health benefits doesn’t make it a smart choice.

Is Subway Really Healthy?

Does Exercising Before Breakfast Burn More Fat?

The annoying thing about research articles is that they sometimes contradict each other. It doesn’t happen often – but when it does, the discrepancies tend to be pretty frustrating.

A few years back, I came across a study published in Strength and Conditioning which concluded that the body burns the same amount of fat regardless of hunger. Moreover, the report also found that you’re more likely to lose muscle when exercising in a depleted state. In other words, exercising before breakfast after a full night of fasting isn’t beneficial.

Today, I came across a study that has concluded just the opposite. According to researchers from Northumbria University, exercisers can burn 20% more fat when exercising before breakfast on an empty stomach. One researcher noted:

Exercise increases the total amount of energy we expend and a greater proportion of this energy comes from existing fat if the exercise is performed after an overnight fast.

So who are we to believe?

Personally, I’ve found that exercising on an empty stomach limits my performance. If I’m hungry and feeling depleted, I’m not able to push myself in the same way – and thus the intensity of my exercise suffers. Even if exercising on an empty stomach provides a slight advantage in terms of fat burned, I’m quite certain this benefit is outweighed by my lackluster performance.

I know that contradictory research can be a point of frustration. But let’s remember that there are some things about which everyone is in agreement – like that regular exercise is necessary for a healthy lifestyle. My advice would be to not get too caught up in the tiny details. Whether you exercise before breakfast, after breakfast or anytime thereafter, what really matters is that you are exercising.

Period.

Does Exercising Before Breakfast Burn More Fat?

5-Minute Awesome Chair Workout!

Of all the uses for a chair, sitting in one is the least conducive to a healthy lifestyle. In fact, studies show that sitting more means dying sooner – even if you exercise.

So let’s turn the tables on chairs (pun intended) by putting them to work for us! To that end, I put together a quick, 5-minute chair workout that you can do from the comfort of your home. While it may not leave you looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger, it will certainly get your heart rate up and your blood pumping.

Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments below. Cheers to chairs!

5-Minute Awesome Chair Workout!