A food ____ is often nutritionally equal or superior in some ways and inferior in others.

A food substitute is a product that can be used in place of another food item, and it is often designed to mimic certain nutritional qualities while potentially offering different attributes. For example, a plant-based milk might serve as a substitute for cow's milk, providing similar benefits in terms of calcium and vitamin D but lacking in protein or other nutrients found in dairy. The phrase "nutritionally equal or superior in some ways and inferior in others" aptly describes the nature of food substitutes, as they can deliver some health benefits while falling short in other areas.

Food imitations, on the other hand, are typically designed to replicate the taste, texture, or appearance of a certain food item but often do not provide the same level of nutrients found in their counterparts. Additionally, "fake" is a non-technical term that lacks specificity regarding nutritional value and may carry a negative connotation. The term "premium" usually refers to products of higher quality or price rather than their nutritional comparisons. Thus, the most accurate term for describing foods that can fulfill similar roles but differ in nutritional content is food substitute.