The greatest changes in Americans’ drinking habits have occurred outside the soft drink market, as consumers adopt healthier lifestyles.

– Bottled Water: 24 million more Americans drank bottled water in 2008 than in 2003. One in three beverage-purchasing adults (34%) said they’re drinking more water and less carbonated beverages to manage weight, health conditions, or concern about high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. Sixteen percent of respondents worry about the health risks of high-fructose corn syrup, while 15% say they’re drinking less artificially sweetened beverages because of risks.

– Sports Drinks: In the past five years, 11 million adults started drinking sports drinks.

Mintel expects continued momentum in tea, coffee drinks and diet soda.

– Check out some of our favorite beverages—including regular sodas made with lower levels of real sugar, and all natural ingredients, and health and energy drinks.
– See THE NIBBLE’s Bottled Waters articles and reviews.

We sought out some of America’s finest chocolatiers—artisans who not only use the best chocolate, but create the best Easter candy memories. We promise you the best candy Easter eggs, amazing bunnies and Easter baskets that will make the fussiest child or chocolate connoisseur jump for joy. We know because, for the past month, THE NIBBLE offices have been turned into Peter Cottontail’s Chocolate Testing Station.

Read the full reviews of treats from Knipschildt Chocolatier, L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolate, Pete’s Gourmet Confections (certified kosher*) and Recchiuti Confections. Then visit these confectioners online or by phone at your earliest convenience—because hippity, hoppity, Easter’s on its way (April 12, 2009, April 19 for Greek Orthodox Easter).

*All of Pete’s Gourmet Confections are certified kosher. His Easter-themed products, while not likely to be of interest to kosher observers, just happen to come from the same kosher kitchen that has treats in general spring designs as well. He also makes kosher for Passover products.

– Breakfast & Brunches
– Entertaining Appetizers
– Dinner Made Easy
– Sweet Treats

While it’s not exactly a million bucks, the three other category winners each receive $5,000 and a GE Profile Induction Free-Standing Range. Take a gander at the prize rules at http://www.pillsbury.com.

*Biscotti dough is rolled into an oblong loaf and baked once. Then the individual cookies are cut from the warm loaf and baked again, giving them their name—bis coctum is Latin for “twice cooked.”

Did we complain? Heck no—we can’t imagine turning down any flavor baked by the gifted Chef Perry Harmon. Lemon Dried Blueberry, Maple Walnut (made with local maple syrup), Orange Dried Cranberry and Dried Cherry equally pleased our critical palate. We can’t wait for new seasonal flavors and limited editions. We wish you had some marvelous biscotti to munch on as you read the full review. But buy some today and you’ll have them in time to chew over next week’s Top Pick.