Interestingly, I also said these words quite frequently to the teenager when he was little. It's so easy to say and do the same things your parents did and said, even though you said you never would...
With the toddler, I am a lot more relaxed, and I truly have learned to pick my battles.
The other day, we had kimbap ("Korean sushi": rice, vegetables, & seafood rolled into seaweed) for lunch.

Watching the toddler play with his food before eating it, was a great reminder that food is supposed to be fun and pleasurable. I believe that if we focus on the beauty, smell, and taste of our food, it is much easier to be satisfied with less food and to truly enjoy what we eat.
I think "interactive" meals are a great way to "play" with your food a bit. For example, I like to make tacos that everyone assembles. Or breakfast burritos that everyone fills and rolls up. We haven't had an interactive dinner or breakfast in a while; I think it's about time for all of us to play a bit with our food... :o)
Questions: Were you allowed to play with your food as a child? When was the last time that you played with your food? If you have children, do you let them play with their food?
Be well,
Andrea