Jannabellsmom,
It is true that freedom, parrots spend more than 80% of the day in search for food "foraging" but in captivity is not at all alike. Already there are studies on this and the findings suggest that not spend more than 20 minutes throughout the day to eat.
the idea of making food available for short periods of time is a way of "environmental enrichment" and stimulation.
That is well cockatiels your weight has nothing to ber that is receiving all the nutrients.
David