Not to worry -- this is part of why we not only offer a free 30-day trial before purchase, but also a full money back guarantee up to 30 days after purchase, no questions asked. (Just email us at support at bigoven.com if you'd like a refund and we'll issue it and void the serial number.)
BigOven's nutrition analysis, like most recipe software, requires that it know what you mean by each ingredient line. There are a couple hundred memorized links (e.g., salt, sugar, etc.), and you'll see those linkings show up automatically for you as you enter the ingredients. The scale icon turns from grey to orange. Rather than require you to enter ingredients exactly how, say, the USDA defines them, BigOven lets you use your own shorthand (e.g., if you like to call them "scallions" and the USDA knows them as "ONIONS, GREEN,..." etc., you can link them up, and in all future entries, it will remember that linking. To nutritionally link an ingredient line, simply double-click on the scale icon. BigOven will do a pretty good job guessing what you mean, but because it's nutrition, we do ask that a human being (you) verify this linking.
If that doesn't work for you, we'll be happy to issue a full and complete refund. Thanks!