How do I stop my toddler from squishing his food?

Every time I sit my 3 year old down to eat he always squishes his food and smashes it, rolls it like hes playing with playdoe, rubs it in his hair and up and down his arms. I have switched from messy foods to just finger food again, I have taken food away, I even thought that maybe he wasn't getting enough creative activity in the day so I added playing with play doh do our list of activities, nothing has worked. It has turned every meal into just a stressful time, I am not sure what to do anymore. Anyone have any ideas?