KANSAS CITY — As the New Year ushers in new products, food manufacturers are betting big on bars.

Post Holding’s Premier Nutrition has launched a line of protein bars with no artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors. The bars are gluten-free and contain 30 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber. Five of the bars have been refreshed — chocolate peanut butter, yogurt peanut crunch, peanut butter crunch, dark chocolate mint and double chocolate crunch — while two new flavors have joined the lineup: salted caramel and dark chocolate almond.

“Whether you’re grabbing breakfast on-the-go or in need of an afternoon snack, Premier Protein's new and improved 30-gram bars give you sustained energy when you need it most,” said Jennifer McKnight, director of marketing for Premier Nutrition. “Packed with the same great taste and protein our customers have come to love, but with no artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors, we’re excited about this new line and are committed to continuing to innovate to bring delicious and nutritious products to our fans.”

Kind Snacks is adding three new bars to its arsenal. New Kind Healthy Grains Cinnamon Oat and Double Dark Chocolate bars contain a blend of oats, millet, quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat. The new Pressed by Kind Strawberry Apple Chia bar contains two full servings of fruit, no added sugar and is vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Mediterra is expanding its Yogurt & Oat bar portfolio with two new flavors: lemon and walnuts and fig and almonds. The new bars contain 6 grams of protein and are non-G.M.O., gluten-free and certified kosher.

“These new flavors also adhere to the Mediterranean Diet, considered by experts to be one of the healthiest ways to eat,” said Telemaque Lavidas, founder of Mediterra. “Like all Mediterra nutrition bars, the new Yogurt & Oat bars will fundamentally change a person’s idea of a snack bar as they are loaded with fiber, nutrients and vitamins instead of complex sugars and saturated fats.”

Cellucor is pumping up its protein bar portfolio with a new FitJoy protein bar flavor: Birthday Cake Batter. The dough-like bar features a sweet, creamy coating, rainbow sprinkles, 20 grams of protein and 230 calories.

Click for a slideshow of new products